Transport Workers Union to Support Business and Antitrust Agreement Between American Airlines and Japan Airlines
March 21, 2010 | Airline Flight, Airline Service, Airlines Companies, Airlines News, American Airline, Aviation
The Transport Workers Union said Thursday that it supports American Airlines’s antitrust immunity application with Japan Airlines.
The union, which represents 28,000 workers at AA and American Eagle, sent a letter of support to the Transportation Department, which is considering American and JAL’s joint business agreement and antitrust application.
An approved application will allow the two carriers to jointly market and operate flights between the U.S. and Japan. American has received tentative approval for antitrust immunity with its Oneworld partners British Airways and Iberia.
“The proposed alliance between these two carriers is vital for Oneworld to compete effectively with the Star and SkyTeam alliances,” the letter said.
The letter also says antitrust immunity will benefit the union’s members by providing “enhanced opportunity for long-term growth” and “improved job security.” The union also supported the American-British Airways venture.
However, the support comes as the union is asking federal mediators to release their work groups from contract talks with American, the first step in a possible strike.
