Represents Ground Workers At Both Airlines

The federal judge overseeing the lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice to stop the merger of American Airlines and US Airways will allow the Transport Workers Union to file a brief relevant to the case.

The union, which represents ground workers at both airlines, had originally asked for "intervenor status" in the lawsuit. “The livelihood of our members is at stake” said TWU President Harry Lombardo at the time. “That’s why we filed for intervenor status.”

According to the union, more than 23,000 TWU members work at American Airlines and American Eagle in seven crafts and/or classes, including: Mechanics and Related, Fleet Service, Materials Logistics Specialists, Dispatchers, Ground School and Simulator Pilot Instructors, Maintenance Control Technicians and Flight Simulator Technicians.
 
Three hundred employees of US Airways are also TWU members in the Flight Dispatch, Flight Crew Training Instructor and Flight Simulator Technician crafts and/or classes.

Reuters reports that the airlines balked at the request, saying that the presence of the Union might slow the proceedings. The union then asked for the opportunity to file a brief in the case, and in a two-page order, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly agreed that would be appropriate.

The case is set to go to trial November 25.

FMI: www.twu.org