150 more workers to be fired by Continental

Continental Airlines Inc. is laying off 150 ground workers, including bag handlers, at seven U.S. airports and hiring contractors in their place.

The Houston-based carrier said late last week that the layoffs would take effect on June 1 in Providence, R.I.; Greensboro, N.C.; Richmond and Norfolk, Va.; Pensacola, Fla.; St. Louis and Kansas City.

The country’s fourth largest airline made the decision after examining whether to use contractors for certain ground jobs where it operates only regional service.

In February, Continental announced it was laying off 600 reservation agents as travelers continue to use the Internet more to book and manage their flights.

That represented the second round of layoffs in less than a year among the airline employees who help travelers make flight arrangements via telephone.

Last May, Continental cut 500 reservation agent positions and closed its Tampa, Fla., call center.