United and Continental Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association International, are preparing to rally in New York's financial district this week.
According to a press release from the pilots' association, more than 700 pilots are expected to picket to alert the nation that "all is not well" with the merger.
"Real progress with implementing the merger takes the involvement of pilots and an acknowledgment by management of the contributions that pilots make in creating a successful airline," the release states. "It is past time for management to get serious about negotiating a fair joint contract that will help unlock the synergies from the transaction and allow the investment community, employees and passengers to benefit. Pilots are key to a successful merger."
The "informational" picketing in the financial district, followed by a group rally in Battery Park, will be held Tuesday in New York (Wednesday on Guam).
United and Continental continue to operate separately under United Continental Holdings Inc. until receipt of a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration. United officials expect to receive the certificate by the end of 2011.
Continental Airlines and United Air Lines Inc. merged to become wholly owned subsidiaries of United Continental Holdings Inc. in October last year.
This isn't the first time pilots have protested aspects of the merger. This summer, Continental Airlines' pilots protested against United regarding violations of "scope provisions" that apply to separate pilot contracts and operations of the two airlines -- legacy Continental and legacy United, according Pacific Daily News files.
The union represents more than 53,000 pilots including approximately 5,000 pilots at Continental Airlines, according to the union website.
The Continental scope provisions protect pilots' job security, both generally and during a transaction such as a merger, files state.
United officials have said that they expect some challenges to the merger but are working with employees and unions to ensure the smoothest transition possible.
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