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| From left, Hiroya Yamaguchi, Chairman of the Japan Federation of Aviation Workers’ Unions (KOHKUREN) and IAM Transportation General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. sign a historic alliance agreement at KOHKUREN’s National Convention in Japan. |
The IAM is the first North American transportation
union to enter into an alliance agreement with the Japan Federation of Aviation
Workers’ Unions (KOHKUREN), the largest federation of air transport workers in
Japan. Both the IAM and KOHKUREN represent workers at the same airlines,
including Northwest/Delta, United, Continental and others.
“With the potential of a merger between United and
Continental, Delta’s attempt to consolidate in Asia and the impact foreign
carrier alliances have on domestic airlines, the IAM-KOHKUREN alliance provides
the unprecedented opportunity to jointly protect wages and benefits of our
combined membership,” said International President Tom Buffenbarger.
“Our two great organizations represent the best hope that
air transport workers have for a better life, in the face of severe challenges
poised by the globalization of the aviation industry,” said IAM Transportation
GVP Robert Roach, Jr., who addressed KOHKUREN's National Convention in Tokyo.
“The Alliance agreement we have signed sends a wake-up call to any international
airline that still believes an ocean can separate our members. It serves as
further testament to our continuing efforts to strengthen our coordination of
organizing and collective bargaining activities with our brothers and sisters
in Japan.”
