Unions Representing 70,000 American Airlines and US Airways Employees Applaud Decision by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott to Support the Combination of the Two Airlines

CHARLOTTE, N.C., EULESS, Texas, FORT WORTH, Texas, and WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- 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, today commented on 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.

The unions issued the following statement:

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. 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. 

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 and Fleet and Service Mechanics at American Eagle. 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:
Gregg Overman: (817) 312-3901

APFA Contact:
Leslie Mayo: (858) 859-2732
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

IBT Contact:
Kimberly Barboro: (602) 524-9686

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