Links to keep you informed on the potential merger with Northwest Airlines and Delta.

Air Transport District 143

Air Transport District 141

Air Transport Association

Delta Ramp Workers  Organizing Committee

News on Northwest Airlines

News on Delta Airlines

Current Merger Information

February 28, 2008
Merger Watch - Newsletter from the International IAM
IAM Takes Merger Issues to Congress

February 27, 2008
Wired to the District
As many of you are probably already aware, the NWA/DAL merger discussions have stalled from the previous momentum over the past few weeks. Reminiscent of a “Skull & Bones” meeting, Northwest and Delta pilots have not been able to come to an agreement on seniority issues throughout their negotiations.

District 143 remains committed to ensuring that our collective future is secure. We have developed a comprehensive plan that we are fully prepared to execute once a deal is hammered out; a plan that has been shaped and defined by all levels of our organization. Many of you already know that we have been aggressively lobbying Capital Hill as well as state legislators. General chairs have been assigned to mandatory station visits to have face-to-face meetings with the membership to explain the processes involved, and more importantly to discuss what our plan will be, and what the membership role must be.

All transportation districts, in conjunction with the Grand Lodge, have focused on communications regarding airline mergers. District 143 has added a new link to the website titled Merger Watch wherein information regarding mergers is put out to the membership. In addition, you can find various press releases there as well. We encourage the membership to take time from their busy schedules and educate themselves on the numerous issues that we are faced with.

District 143 will continue to take a position of opposition to any airline merger that would have an adverse impact on employees, communities, and the flying public; even while other labor organizations hone their notorious “cut & run” technique. District 143 remains proactive in ensuring that our membership is protected, that communities are protected, and that the flying public is protected from greedy hedge fund investors who only see us as a liability to their profits. We will never agree to the wholesale elimination of our jobs or our communities just to satisfy investment firms.

In the meantime, we ask that the membership continue to educate themselves and their coworkers on the latest information, which can be found on the District web site. Furthermore, we ask that everyone print the applicable communications and distribute. Stay tuned for future updates.
Stephen M. Gordon
IAM District 143 PDGC


February 25, 2008
Machinists Union, Passenger Rights Group Partner
to Block Airline Mergers

Merger Watch - Newsletter from the International IAM

February 21, 2008

February 19, 2008

Delta, Northwest board expected to vote on merger
The boards of Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines are expected to meet on Wednesday to vote on a proposed merger agreement, according to media reports. The two airlines have yet to reach an agreement with their pilot groups on how to establish a single contract and a process for integrating their seniority lists. The airlines hope to reach an agreement with the pilot groups before announcing a plan to merge. Bloomberg/ClipSyndicate (2/19)
February 18, 2008
Delta, Northwest may announce merger plan this week
Experts believe that Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines could announce a plan to merge later this week, but any deal would be likely to face close scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers. Delta's board is expected to consider a merger plan on Wednesday, and pilots at both carriers are negotiating a plan to merge their seniority lists, according to reports. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (free registration) (2/16) , Detroit Free Press (2/18)

NWA continues to ignore IAM requests for information on proposed merger

Machinists Union on Edge About Airline Deals
The Street.Com

February 16, 2008
Merger Watch - Wired to the District

February 15, 2008
Pilot negotiations may delay Delta-Northwest deal
Pilots for Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines are continuing to negotiate a seniority list for a merged airline, according to media reports. The negotiations could delay the announcement of a merger until next week. The pilot groups are both represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, but they operate under different seniority lists. The Detroit News (2/15

United, Continental are in advanced talks, reports say
United Airlines and Continental Airlines are in advanced merger talks, but the two carriers still have significant issues to resolve, according to media reports. The airlines declined to comment on negotiations, but reports say they could move quickly on a merger if Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines agree to combine. The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah)/Associated Press (2/14) , Chicago Tribune

Union petitions to hold election for Delta attendants
Detroit Press

Northwest, Delta agree on major merger terms, reports say
The combination of Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines would be based in Atlanta and keep the Delta name, according to media reports. Delta CEO Richard Anderson would run the merged airline, and Air France-KLM Group would invest in the carrier in exchange for a board seat. Delta, Northwest and Air France declined to comment on the reports. Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg (2/13) , USA TODAY (2/14) , Yahoo!/Reuters (2/13) , The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Cox News Service

February 8, 2008
Reports Say Delta, Northwest Merger is Closer

February 7, 2008
District 141,142,143 Response to Merger Mania Abuzz

Who Really Benefits from Airline Mergers?
A major omission in the debate over airline industry consolidation is its
impact on workers. The Machinists Union has assessed the effect of potential
airline mergers and determined that any of the combinations being proposed
would have an adverse effect on the cities the airlines currently serve, the
flying public, and the employees that have given major concessions to allow
these airlines to continue flying.
If an IAM-represented airline is merged with an airline whose
employees in comparable work groups are not unionized, such as Delta
Airlines, AirTran or some Continental Airlines ground employees, IAM
members’ contracts and right to union representation could be jeopardized.
To protect Machinists Union members, the IAM Transportation
Department has undertaken major organizing initiatives at Delta, Continental
and AirTran. Organizing these workers before a merger is completed can
protect our current membership by ensuring they have a voice in the
workforce integration process and will preserve their contract, no matter
which carrier survives. Visit www.goiamnow.org for more information about
these campaigns.
There is also risk if the other airline’s workers are represented by a
different union. Which union contract, if any, will protect the combined
workforce would be an unresolved question for some time.
The Transportation merger Team has been working since 2006 and is
prepared to defend IAM members in any merger scenario.
February 5, 2008
Delta, Northwest could reach merger deals in two weeks, observers say
Some experts speculate that Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines will reach a merger agreement within two weeks so the deal can be considered by the business-friendly Bush administration. Others say soaring fuel prices and weakening demand will affect the timing of any merger.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution(2/3)

February 1, 2008
District 143 would like to inform the membership that very little new information regarding merger discussions between NWA and DAL has transpired since our last update. District 143 does know that both carriers continued discussions last week and even this week. As District 143 has stated previously, we have not been privy to the relevance of those discussions between the applicable parties.

“As discussions between Northwest and Delta continue, District 143 will continue to move forward with educating our membership about the processes that are involved related to our organization; regulatory processes of the government, and most importantly the union representational process and certification process,” stated President/Directing General Chair Stephen Gordon. “As you may have read in the media, other labor organizations boldly place demands on wages and benefits. The IAM recognizes that in order for us to get to that point we must prevail in our attempts to be the represented collective bargaining agent first – otherwise those issues become moot.”

During the month of February, all District 143 general chairs have been directed to make station visits to their assigned locations to hold “town hall” meetings with the membership in order to inform them of the latest information about any consolidation between NWA and DAL. It remains essential that the membership understands that we do not have all the answers to questions being raised; however, we are committed to gathering questions so that we can establish a “Frequently Asked Questions” sheet.

“Regardless of what does or does not happen related to a merger, District 143 and the Grand Lodge are more prepared than anyone can imagine, not only for a NWA & DAL merger, but for any possible merger scenario where the IAM maintains a collective bargaining agreement,” stated President Gordon. “As you have heard me say before, I welcome the opportunity for our collective group to finally have a chance to control their destiny; and I remind each and every member that they have an onerous of responsibility not only to our organization, but to each other as brothers and sisters to foster the union advantage.”

As discussions of a merger unfold, District 143 will update the membership. We look forward to seeing everyone at the “town hall” meetings. If you have any questions, please contact your assigned general chair.