Tulsa Union Asks Government To Drop American-US Airways Merger Lawsuit

Tulsa American Airlines employees want the US Justice Department to drop its lawsuit against the proposed merger of American and US Airways.

Members of the Transport Workers Union, Local 514 plan to deliver a petition with more than 8,000 signatures to the US Attorney's office at 224 South Boulder Thursday calling the government's lawsuit "irrational."

"We put this on the Internet a couple of weeks ago, and it's spread like wildfire," said TWU Local 514 President Dale Danker. "People just can't understand why our own government is trying to block a merger that's pro-competition, pro-consumer and that protects good-paying U.S. jobs."

8/13/2013 Related Story: Government's Lawsuit Against Airlines Leaves Tulsa Workers In Limbo

The Department of Justice said the American Airlines/US Airways merger would create the world's largest airline, a move that would be bad news for travelers.

"The DOJ says this merger is anti-competitive. Actually, it's their lawsuit against the merger which will block competition," said Danker. "Neither American nor US Airways alone can effectively compete against Delta or United, which means the duopoly will eventually control more routes, raise prices even higher and give consumers fewer choices."

The petition calls for an end to a federal lawsuit that was filed earlier this month.

American Airlines: Turbulent Times

The union also has sent a letter to Attorney General Holder requesting that he meet with TWU members.