The services of the National Mediation Board (NMB) were invoked by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO (IAM) on July 3, 2001, to investigate and determine who may represent for the purposes of the Railway Labor Act, as provided by Section 2, Ninth, thereof, personnel described as "Fleet Service Employees," employees of Continental Airlines, Inc./Continental Express, Inc.

At the time this application was received, these employees were not represented by any organization or individual.

The Board assigned Investigators Mary L. Johnson and Benetta M. Mansfield to investigate.

Subsequently, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO, filed a letter with the NMB which stated, "On account of Continental's recently announced decision to spin off Continental Express as an independent company, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO ('IAM') has determined that it is in the best interests of the employees to withdraw its pending application to represent the Carrier's Fleet Service Employees in the above-referenced case at the present time."

On the basis of this letter of withdrawal referred to above, the Board hereby dismisses the application and closed its file subject to Part 1206.4(b) of the NMB Rules.

By direction of the NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD.

Stephen E. Crable
Chief of Staff