While airline officials and industry analysts are cheerleading the proposed United-Continental merger, IAM leaders sat down with Department of Justice (DOJ) officials to relay the real-world concerns of front-line employees at both carriers.
The DOJ anti-trust review is required before any airline merger can be approved. The IAM is the only labor union that has met with the 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 DOJ’s review is restricted in scope to antitrust issues, Varney understood the tremendous impact airline mergers can have on employees, passengers and the communities they 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."
