United lays out merger changes, progress

by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - United managing director for Micronesia and Southeast Asia Barry Bergmann spoke today in front the local business community at the Guam Chamber of Commerce regarding the United Continental merger, its progress and what changes are in store for Guam.

Regarding the issue of Continental flight attendants who feared losing their jobs and being relocated, Bergmann says he hopes to resolve any issues raised and move forward with taking advantage of the synergy this merger brings. "There are specific things that are going to happen, but first let me tell what's not going to happen is nobody is going to lose their job or forced to move, that is sort of one of the things that occur, but there are things that we have to do that is government mandated before. For instance, United flight attendants can fly on Continental airplanes and vice-versa," the executive explained.

Bergmann adds in November, United will obtain its single operating certificate and negotiate contracts with the flight attendants unions. From there, the union will decide on a seniority list and train the flight attendants on all new aircraft. He also announced that tonight, United will offer an Okinawa-Guam service starting tonight four times a week and by the end of October will predicts to bring in more than 2,600 seats into the market.