Copyright 2000 eMediaMillWorks, Inc.
(f/k/a Federal
Document Clearing House, Inc.)
Federal Document Clearing House
Congressional Testimony
July 10, 2000, Monday
SECTION: CAPITOL HILL HEARING TESTIMONY
LENGTH: 827 words
COMMITTEE:
SENATE JUDICIARY
SUBCOMMITTEE:
ANTITRUST, BUSINESS RIGHTS AND COMPETITION
HEADLINE:
TESTIMONY UNITED AIRLINES--U.S. AIRWAYS MERGER
TESTIMONY-BY: FRANK SCHIFANO , PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN
AFFILIATION: I.A.M.A.W. LOCAL LODGE
BODY:
July 10, 2000 Statement of :Frank Schifano,
President and Chairman, I.A.M.A.W. Local Lodge 1976 The Judiciary Subcommittee
on Antitrust, Business Rights and Competition Proposed Merger of US
Airways and United Airlines There has been a lot of testimony regarding
how this proposed merger would effect competition and service
to the traveling public. Those areas are important and must be addressed, but in
my testimony I would like to discuss issues that effect the employees of both
United Airlines and US Airways. The International Association
of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (I.A.M.A.W.) represents nearly 67,000
(sixty-seven thousand) employees at these two carriers and at this time is
neither endorsing nor opposing this merger. Our International
President has instructed our legal and financial experts to closely examine this
proposal and its impact on our members. We have many concerns including a fair
and equitable contract, job security, and where our jobs will be located. I
appear before you today representing the Mechanic and Related group at the
Pittsburgh International Airport. Pittsburgh is US Airway's
largest maintenance center in the United States and our concern is or it's
Future. Even though there has been testimony given by United officials that jobs
would be protected for two years the uncertainty of where those jobs will be has
I.A.M. members from both airlines very concerned. For two years we've been
working on a project to build a new "state of the art" maintenance facility in
Pittsburgh. We have the support of Federal, State, and local elected officials
along with business, labor and community leaders for this project and some
funding has also been arranged. We believe building this facility in Pittsburgh
makes good business sense, but it also would bring stability to the Pittsburgh
region, which would stabilize United's system. Without a written commitment from
United Airlines to our proposed new maintenance complex not
only are thousands of jobs in jeopardy in Pittsburgh but there would be no
stability for I.A.M. members at United Airlines or US Airways.
The I.A.M.A.W. un tan s at re is great potential for future growth and job
security but our members from both United and US Airways must
be assured of this and Pittsburgh could be the key. Thank-you Mr. Chairman for
the opportunity to testify before your committee today
LOAD-DATE: August 22, 2000, Tuesday
