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Martin Moylan
St. Paul, Minn.

International Machinists union opposes any airline mergers

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The union representing about 40,000 baggage handlers, reservation agents and other workers at Northwest, United and Continental airlines says it will oppose any merger of major U.S. airlines.

The International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers fears mergers may lead to job and service cuts.

Stephen Gordon, who leads the IAM unit at Northwest Airlines where the union represents some 11,000 workers, said rumored mergers, including one between Northwest and Delta airlines, wouldn't be good for workers or passengers.

"We just feel right now it would have a more detrimental or adversarial effect towards employees, communities and even the flying public. These are mergers that are being discussed for Wall Street, not for the carrier or the employees," said Gordon. Northwest had no comment on the union's stance.

Northwest and Delta merger talks are on hold, for now. Pilots for the two carriers can't agree how to combine their seniority lists, and the two airlines want that contentious issue resolved before any merger.

Meanwhile, Continental and United airlines are reportedly in merger discussions.