Organizations Represent 70,000 American Airlines And US Airways Employees

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA ("AFA"), the Allied Pilots Association ("APA"), the Association of Professional Flight Attendants ("APFA"), the Communications Workers of America ("CWA"), the International Brotherhood of Teamsters ("IBT"), the Transport Workers Union ("TWU") and the US Airline Pilots Association ("USAPA"), unions representing 70,000 American Airlines, American Eagle and US Airways employees, including pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, technicians, aircraft dispatchers, call center representatives, and others, are applauding Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott's decision to support the combination of American Airlines and US Airways and to withdraw his participation in the US Department of Justice's ("DOJ") lawsuit.

"We appreciate Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott for supporting the combination of American Airlines and US Airways, adding his name to a long list of elected officials in Texas who support the merger," the unions said in a joint statement issued after the move was announced. "Over the past few weeks our members have shown – and continue to show – unprecedented support for this combination.  Our message "Let us compete.  Together." is being heard loud and clear. 

"This combination will allow our members to compete on a fair basis in the airline industry and to better serve customers with a stronger airline that will fly more people to more places.  Moreover, this combination enhances job security for employees of both airlines because they will be allowed to compete fairly with other merged carriers in the industry. 

"Attorney General Abbott clearly recognizes the benefits this transaction will bring to Texas.  The Dallas-Fort Worth hub will continue to be a key hub of the new American and travelers coming in and out of Texas will benefit from greater connectivity and enhanced service.  The combined networks will employ nearly 25,000 people throughout the state of Texas, supporting economic growth in all of its communities.   

"This combination makes sense for competition, customers, and our members we represent who want nothing more than to compete aggressively.  We will continue to make our voices heard."

FMI: www.afacwa.org, www.alliedpilots.org