Although the proposed United-Continental merger seems to be garnering positive reaction, leaders of the International Association of Machinists met with Department of Justice (DOJ) officials to discuss the impact of the merger on front-line employees at both carriers. The DOJ anti-trust review is required before any airline merger can be approved and, thus far, IAM is the only labor union that has conferred with the DOJ about the proposed merger. The union leaders met with Christine Varney, Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, and members of her staff. The union leaders proclaimed themselves pleased with the meeting.
œOur 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.
Other leaders seconded that general feeling. œIt™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.
œThis meeting provided an opportunity to communicate to yet another government department the opinions and concerns of our membership, said District 142 President Tom Higginbotham. œWe appreciate their willingness to listen."