In case you had any doubts how worried airline workers are
about looming industry consolidation... on Thursday the
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)
took the radical step of urging lawmakers to resist appeals to
approve additional airline consolidation,and instead consider
measured re-regulation of fares and capacity as the only way to
ensure safe and reliable air transportation in the United
States.
Despite much hand-wringing and suggestions of economic
incentives, Minnesota lawmakers have not been able to convince a
merged Delta and Northwest to keep the combined airline's
headquarters in Eagan. Even more frustrating, they haven't been
able to find out how many jobs will disappear in the merger, or
even find out when they'll find out.
Says Integration Of Two Workforces Could Take Seven Years
Steve Wallach is a 747 captain for United Airlines. Last
October, he was also elected chairman of the United Airlines Master
Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Association, part of a new
executive staff expected to take a hard line in negotiations with
executives whose salaries and bonuses have incensed pilots who took
pay cuts during bankruptcy.
Proponents of caps on carbon dioxide emissions from airliners
flying in the European Union are eagerly awaiting the results of
the November presidential election in the United States... as no
matter who wins, they'll likely be more open to adopting similar
measures than the current administration.
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