Greetings!
While airline officials and industry analysts are cheerleading the
proposed United - Continental merger, IAM leaders sat down last week
with Department of Justice (DOJ) officials to relay the real world
concerns of front-line employees at both carriers.
DOJ anti-trust review is required before any airline merger can be
approved. The IAM is the only labor union that has met with DOJ about
the proposed United-Continental merger.
"Our members at United and Continental have witnessed previous
mergers taking a toll on employees and we're determined that their
concerns will be heard by all of the decision makers in this process,"
said Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr.
Attending the meeting with GVP Roach were Administrative Assistant
Sito Pantoja, Airline Coordinator Tom Brickner, District 141 President
Rich Delaney, District 142 President Tom Higginbotham and IAM Associate
General Counsel David Neigus.
The IAM met with Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust Christine
Varney and members of her staff. While the Department of Justice's
review is restricted in scope to anti-trust issues, Varney understood
the tremendous impact airline mergers can have on employees, passengers
and the communities the airlines serve.
"It's important for decision-makers everywhere, whether they run
airlines or government agencies, to understand the concerns of the
workers, families and communities their decisions will affect," said
District 141 President Rich Delaney.
"This meeting provided an opportunity to communicate to yet another
government department the opinions and concerns of our membership,"
said District 142 President Tom Higginbotham. "We appreciate their
willingness to listen."
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Sincerely,
E-Board
IAM&AW LL2339N
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