Shareholders Approve United/Continental Merger
Shareholders at United and Continental Airlines today voted to approve the $3 billion merger proposal that will create the world’s largest airline. The vote comes less than five weeks after federal regulators gave the merger antitrust approval.
“This merger is far from being completed,” said General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. “The task of integrating flight operations, reservations, ticketing, airport operations and obtaining FAA single operating certificates is just beginning.”
When the integration process has been substantially advanced for each classification, employee representatives can apply to the National Mediation Board (NMB) for separate “single carrier” rulings for each classification. Following each single carrier ruling, the NMB will schedule union representation elections for that classification. The schedule of NMB rulings and elections will depend on many factors, including the rate of operational integration for each classification.
“Now that the executives and shareholders have taken care of themselves it is time to ensure the future of IAM members,” said District 141 President Rich Delaney. “Our efforts will focus on reaching the long overdue, progressive contracts our members deserve.”
“The IAM will continue to meet with lawmakers and with representatives of the merged entity to ensure that employee concerns are acknowledged and addressed as the process moves forward,” said IAM District 142 President Tom Higginbotham “It was employee sacrifices that provided the means for this merger to be consummated, and that fact must not be dismissed or overlooked.”
