Teamsters to Closely Monitor Southwest-AirTran Merger

News provided by

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Sep 27, 2010, 05:46 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Teamsters Union announced today that it is assembling an experienced team of experts to ensure its members' jobs and interests are protected should the proposed merger of Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways be approved by federal regulators and shareholders.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100127/IBTLOGO)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100127/IBTLOGO)

"Our most important responsibility is to ensure that the proposed merger addresses the concerns of our membership," said Teamsters Airline Division Director David Bourne. "Our team of legal and financial experts has extensive experience with mergers and acquisitions and will watch this process carefully so that the interests of our mechanics, flight simulators and stock clerks members are protected."

The Teamsters represent 430 mechanics and related workers at AirTran and 22 flight simulators and 165 stock clerks at Southwest.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, including 250,000 workers at UPS.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters