CWA Leadership Meets with PA AG on Airline Merger

August 23, 2013

HARRISBURG, PA — Advocating on behalf of the thousands of Pennsylvanians working for U.S. Airways and American Airlines, leaders of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA met with Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane today to re-emphasize the benefits a merged airline will bring to the Keystone State.

AFA-CWA President Veda Shook and CWA Vice President Ed Mooney noted that both the 9,100 Pennsylvanians that would be employed by the combined airline, and the state as a whole that would see enhanced air service, are the direct beneficiaries of a merger. The combined network would serve Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, Harrisburg, State College, Allentown-Lehigh, Erie and Williamsport.

“It was the sacrifices of U.S. Airways Flight Attendants and their colleagues at U.S. Airways subsidiary Piedmont, including ramp and gate agents, that played a crucial role in rebuilding the airline and setting the stage for this merger,” Shook said. “The combined airline will be something very special that will make air travel opportunities in Pennsylvania better than ever.”

CWA, AFA-CWA and other stakeholders in the merger process are reaching out to parties on all levels involved to highlight the economic advantages of a “New American Airlines.” Last week, Attorney General Kane joined five other state attorney generals, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Department of Justice in seeking to halt the merger process.

“The Philadelphia International Airport – whose leadership supports the merger — alone generates more than $14 billion a year for the regional economy and supports 144,000 jobs,” Mooney said. “Every dollar an airline worker earns in Pennsylvania generates seven dollars in economic activity in the community.”

The labor leaders noted that without a merger, Philadelphia International Airport would not be able to maximize its potential as an international gateway to Europe, South America and Asia.

“The combined network will offer improved service in Pennsylvania through 558 daily departures from the state with access to over 300 cities around the world,” Shook said. “This merger will set a higher bar for the entire airline industry.”