The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. today issued the following statement in response to the announcement of a proposed merger between ExpressJet Airlines and Atlantic Southeast Airlines:
“It is not a surprise that the merger-mania roiling the major airlines is spreading to regional carriers. The lack of any appreciable regulation in the airline industry ensures that carriers large and small will continue to tear each other down and exacerbate their failure to serve passengers, employees and communities.
The Machinists Union will protect our ExpressJet Flight Attendants and defend their contract if this merger with Atlantic Southeast Airlines goes forward. We will work with the carriers, legislators and government regulators to ensure our members are beneficiaries, rather than victims, of consolidation.”
IAM-represented ExpressJet Flight Attendant representatives will meet next week with the union’s legal and financial advisors to discuss the proposed merger and the strategy to protect ExpressJet Flight Attendants and their contract.
The IAM is the largest airline union in North America and represents 1,200 ExpressJet Flight Attendants, which operates regional flights on behalf of Continental Airlines and United Airlines. The latest information about the ExpressJet – Atlantic Southeast merger will be available at www.faMergerMatters.org.
