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Updates
April 14, 2008
Northwest and Delta Announce Merger Plans
To All IAM Members Employed at United Airlines:
Printable Version
To the surprise of no one, Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines today
announced plans to merge. It is possible that some combination of
United, Continental, and/or American Airlines may be prompted by today’s
announcement. These airline mergers represent a threat to your wages,
benefits and union representation itself.
United’s IAM-represented Ramp, Stores, Public Contact, Fleet Technical
Instructor, Maintenance Instructors, Security Guards and Dining Service
employees are the airline’s only employees to survive bankruptcy with
better than industry-average wages and secure defined benefit pension
plans. While other unions made promises to their members, only the
Machinists Union produced positive results.
A merger could possibly lead to a loss of union representation entirely.
This occurred when American Airlines bought Trans World Airlines (TWA).
TWA’s IAM-represented Customer Service and Reservation employees were
combined with their non-union counterparts at American, losing all union
protection. Additionally, TWA’s IAM and ALPA membership lost hard-earned
seniority when they merged under the seniority integration policies of
American’s various unions.
There is a lot at risk, but the IAM is prepared. We will oppose any
merger that negatively impacts our members, passengers or the cities
these airlines serve.
District 141 will work with the entire IAM Transportation Department to
preserve the contracts, pensions and union representation rights that
you have fought so hard to achieve.
Monitor the District 141 website’s Merger Watch page, available at
www.iam141.org/airline_mergers.htm and sign up for email
notifications for the latest information as this situation develops.
Fraternally,
S.R. (Randy) Canale
President & Directing General Chairman |
