Current Merger News

May 1, 2008

Machinists to Testify Against Airline Mergers

The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's Subcommittee on Aviation has announced a hearing on airline industry consolidation and the proposed Northwest-Delta Air Lines merger. Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Costello has invited IAM General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. to testify. 

All IAM Transportation members who live in the Washington, D.C. area or can easily travel to D.C. are invited to attend and show support  for the Machinists position against senseless airline mergers.

WHAT: House Committee on Transportation And Infrastructure's Subcommittee on Aviation hearing on the "Impact of Consolidation on the Aviation Industry, with a Focus on the Proposed Merger between Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines."

WHEN: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 2:00 PM - Get there early to ensure a seat.

WHERE: Rayburn House Office Building Room 2167

MORE INFORMATION: http://transportation.house.gov/
 

April 22, 2008

 IAM Launches Airline ‘Merger Watch’  

Thanks to a year-long campaign by a handful of airline CEO’s, a series of massive and disruptive mergers are threatening to reshape the troubled industry, culminating in a monopoly-like atmosphere for the few carriers that remain.

In addition to the recently announced merger between Delta and Northwest Airlines, which would create the world’s largest airline, there is widespread speculation that United Airlines, Continental Airlines, US Airways and American Airlines may also be forced to consider mergers to remain competitive.

To keep IAM members advised of the developments in the this latest shakedown of airline passengers and employees, the IAM created ‘Merger Watch,’ a special web page at www.goiam.org/mergers to provide news and information on the merger-related developments.

In addition to IAM updates, Merger Watch will provide links to news releases, testimony, videos and background information about proposed mergers and how they could affect IAM members, their families and their contracts.

Members are encouraged to visit www.goiam.org/mergers and speak out with your comments/opinions about airline consolidation. You can either call 1-888-369-7441 or go to this link http://www.goiam.org/speak-out.cfm?cID=12831 and send an email.

Flight attendants, mechanics say Delta/Northwest merger will hurt consumers
 

By BOB KEEFE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/08/08

WASHINGTON — Flight attendants and mechanics told Congress on Wednesday that the planned merger of Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines could hurt consumers, communities and workers.

But the carriers' chief executives insisted they must combine to compete effectively worldwide and deal with soaring fuel prices.

MORE................

BAA chief apologises (sic) to MPs over T5

The head of Heathrow operator BAA has told MPs he was "not aware" in advance that there were likely to be problems with the airport's new Terminal 5 (T5).

BAA chief executive Colin Matthews also told the House of Commons Transport Committee that 17 of T5's lifts were still not working - more than five weeks after the £4.3 billion facility's disastrous opening on March 27.

He apologised "unreservedly" for the T5 difficulties, admitted that BAA was to blame for "some of the problems" and added that BAA had not yet investigated "who knew what or when" in advance about the likely problems the terminal might face.

The £4.3 billion new terminal, officially opened by the Queen on March 14, had a catastrophic operational opening on March 27 with dozens of flights delayed, the baggage system failing and huge queues building up.

It was several days before British Airways was able to run a full service from T5 and the airline postponed to June its planned April 30 transfer of its long-haul flights to the new terminal.

MORE................

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