Pilots at US Airways on Friday joined the chorus of labor groups that have come out against the merger, saying in a statement that the group "will not sit back and allow airline environmental changes without protecting the interests of all our pilots." Stephen Bradford, president of the US Airline Pilots Association, said the group will not support any dealmaking until management ties up the loose ends of the 2005 merger of US Air with America West Holdings Inc.
Specifically, the pilots at the two airlines are still working under separate contracts dating from before the America West deal. The pilots from the two airlines have been at loggerheads over how to integrate seniority lists, a dispute that lead to the creation of the new USAPA earlier this year.
Bradford warned that his group has concerns that United, which is perceived to be in poor financial health relative to its rivals, would be a bad match even after US Airways pilots get their unified contract.
"With mounting losses, and a dismal balance sheet, UAL may not be the best dance partner for US Airways," Bradford said. "If synergies mean cutting capacity at US Airways while we experience record load factors concurrent with positive industry yields, we simply aren't interested."
With the comments US Air's pilots join pilots, flight attendants and mechanics at United in voicing opposition to the potential deal. United's board met on Thursday to receive an update on potential strategic moves, which are believed to include both a purchase of US Air and a codeshare with Continental Airlines Inc. - Lou Whiteman
See complete US Airline Pilots Association statement
See Dealscape post on United's flight attendants and mechanics
See TheDeal.com story on United's pilots
See Dealscape post discussing United's options
See Dealwatch: Airline consolidation
Another day, another union has come out against a rumored deal between United Airlines' parent UAL Corp. and US Airways Group Inc.
