© GettyUnited: Over 700 hundred Continental and United pilots, joined by additional pilots from other Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) carriers, demonstrate on Wall Street on Tuesday
Wall Street saw yet another surge in protesters today - as hundreds of Continental and United Airlines pilots demonstrated in New York City's financial district.
Over 700 hundred activists, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) carriers, took their grievances to the streets as they protested for wages and benefits in light of a stalled merger between the airlines.
The demonstration coincided with the 11th straight day the Occupy Wall Street encampment, which has seen thousands of demonstrators descend onto downtown Manhattan - and hundreds arrested.
Continental's ALPA unit announced the union rally, saying the company needed to 'get serious' about negotiating a joint contract.
United officials have said they want a fair contract and have been meeting with pilots from both unions since August 2010, arguing that none of the major sections dealing with work rules, pay, scope/job protection or retirement/benefits has been resolved.
Management wanted a deal in place by the end of 2011, but said over the summer the target would be missed. No new date has been set.
Comment: The mainstream media, of course, continue to portray the protesters as few in number and composed mainly of 'anarchist' types... but the true story is very different: