IAM Meets with Justice Department Over United-Continental Merger
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.”
IAM Files for Continental Ground Instructor Election The Machinists Union has filed an application with the National Mediation Board (NMB) to represent Ground Instructors at Continental Airlines. Ground Instructors provide classroom training for Continental’s pilots.The IAM already represents workers in the Ground Instructor classification at United Airlines, Continental’s proposed merger partner. Under the terms of the IAM-UAL Fleet Technical Instructors and Related Agreement, IAM-represented Ground Instructors at United include the Emergency Procedures Instructors who train United’s Pilots and Flight Attendants.
“Regardless the outcome of the proposed merger, Continental’s Ground Instructors will benefit from IAM representation,” said District 141 President Rich Delaney “With flight reductions and industry consolidation, there has never been a more crucial time for airline employees to have the professional representation and unmatched resources that only the IAM can provide.”
The IAM’s application was supported by signed election authorization cards from Continental’s Ground Instructors. After reviewing the IAM’s application, the NMB is expected to schedule an election.