American Airlines And US Airways Team Members Say: 'Let Us Compete. Together.'

CHARLOTTE, N.C., EULESS, Texas, FORT WORTH, Texas, and WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the past two days, hundreds of members of 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 and US Airways employees, including pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, technicians, aircraft dispatchers, call center representatives, airport customer service agents and fleet service employees, traveled to Washington D.C. and met with more than fifty Senators and nearly 300 congressmen to make the case for the benefits of combining American Airlines and US Airways. 

The two-day event culminated in an employee rally on Capitol Hill, which was attended by members of Congress and the leaders of unions who demonstrated their support for the combination. 

Laura Glading, President, Association of Professional Flight Attendants, American Airlines, stated: "The DOJ's lawsuit to block the merger jeopardizes the futures of our members and all of the hard-working aviation professionals at American and US Airways. Our members have endured a turbulent aviation industry over the past decade. The combination of American and US Airways promises a more competitive airline with a reliable future and long term opportunities. We strongly believe that this is the best path forward. That is why our members have shown – and continue to show – unprecedented support for this combination." 

Bill Gray, Local President, Transport Workers Union, representing American Airlines and US Airways TWU members, stated: "American and US Airways should not be denied the opportunity to compete globally. The new American's strong domestic network will serve as the foundation for enhanced international service – and strongly position the combined airline to compete on a global basis." 

Capt. Gary Hummel, President, US Airline Pilots Association, US Airways, stated: "The DOJ believes it is responsible for protecting consumers. As professional airline pilots, you know that's our job as well. We realize that airlines must be allowed to compete, yet still be able to invest in their future. They must be able to not only survive, but be strong global companies, capable of investing in the next generation of technology and aircraft, as well as recruiting the next generation of our nation's talented youth to safely pilot these planes. This merger enhances competition and makes sense for our passengers while providing a more stable career path for future pilots. That is how you ultimately protect the consumer."

Roger Holmin, President, Association of Flight Attendants, US Airways, stated: "Flight Attendants are ready to make the most out of the opportunities available through this merger. This combination is about certainty and stability for workers and additional choices for passengers."

Capt. Keith Wilson, President, Allied Pilots Association, American Airlines, stated: "What we are asking is simple: Let us compete. Together. American and US Airways can succeed together in a way that neither can alone, bringing new competition to the domestic and international airlines. We stand ready to serve customers as the new American, and we deserve that shot."

Capt. David Bourne, Director Airline Division for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, representing US Airways customer service agents, stated, "The Teamsters fully support the merger of US Airways and American Airlines. I have no doubt that this merger will allow our members to compete on a fair basis in the airline industry and to better serve customers with a stronger and more reliable airline. Moreover, this merger enhances job security for employees of both airlines because they will be allowed to compete fairly with other merged carriers in the industry."  

Association of Flight Attendants-Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO (AFA)

The Association of Flight Attendants is the world's largest Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for 68 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working conditions. Nearly 60,000 Flight Attendants come together to form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.

Allied Pilots Association (APA)

Founded in 1963, the Allied Pilots Association—the largest independent pilot union in the United States—is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. APA represents the 10,000 pilots of American Airlines. Several hundred American Airlines pilots are on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union's Web site address is www.alliedpilots.org.  

Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA)

Founded in 1977, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) is the largest independent Flight Attendant union in the nation. It represents the 16,000 Flight Attendants at American Airlines. APFA Members live in almost every state of the nation and serve millions of Americans as they travel the nation and the world. Laura Glading is serving in her second four-year term as president of the union. For more information visit apfa.org.

Communications Workers of America (CWA)

CWA, the largest telecommunications union in the world, represents over 700,000 men and women in both private and public sectors, including over half a million workers who are building the Information Highway.  CWA members work in telecommunications, broadcasting, cable TV, journalism, publishing, manufacturing, airlines, customer service, government service, health care, education and other fields.

Transport Workers Union, AFL-CIO (TWU)

The Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) represents 200,000 workers and retirees, primarily in commercial aviation, public transportation and passenger railroads. Included in the union's membership are 26,000 workers at American Airlines. TWU represents seven work groups at American Airlines including Fleet Service, Aviation Maintenance Technicians (aircraft mechanics), Stock Clerks, Dispatchers, Ground School Instructors, Flight Simulator Technicians and Facility Maintenance Mechanics, TWU also represents Dispatchers, Flight Crew Training Instructors and Simulator Engineers at US Airways. The union is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO.     

US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA)

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., the US Airline Pilots Association (USAPA) represents the more than 5,000 mainline pilots who fly for US Airways. USAPA's mission is to ensure safe flights for airline passengers by guaranteeing that their lives are in the hands of only the most qualified, competent and well-equipped pilots.

International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT)

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, including customer service agents at US Airways.

AFA Contact:
Corey Caldwell: (202) 434-0586

APA Contact:
Tom Hoban: (817) 937 4796

APFA Contact:
Leslie Mayo: (949) 510-7272
Anthony DeMaio: (202) 292-3355

CWA Contact:
Candice Johnson: (202) 434-1168

TWU Contact:
Jamie Horwitz: (202) 549-4921

USAPA Contact:
James Ray: (980) 875-7642 

SOURCE Association of Flight Attendants-Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO; Transport Workers Union, AFL-CIO; International Brotherhood of Teamsters; Allied Pilots Association; US Airline Pilots Association; Association of Professional Flight Attendants; Communications Workers of America