Here are the articles related to the "If USAirways should go under, so be it" issue.
KERRY OPPOSES UNITED, US AIRWAYS MERGER
Author(s): MATTHEW BRELIS Date: December 8, 2000 Page: D2 Section: Business
Saying the proposed merger between United Airlines, the world's largest carrier, and US Airways Inc., the dominant airline in the Northeast, would reduce competition and increase fares, US Senator John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) yesterday opposed the deal.
Kerry, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, wrote to the Department of Justice and Department of Transportation earlier this week expressing his concerns saying the merger would result in a consolidation of the airline industry from six major players to three, and that would restrict new entrants and reduce "further the chances that new competition would be successful. In his 2 1/2-page letter, Kerry noted there is "speculation" that US Airways, the nation's sixth largest airline, needs the merger to survive. Kerry said that US Airways executives never suggested that in testimony before the commerce committee, but if the airline has to fail, so be it.
"Even in the worst-case scenario, if US Airways were to shut its doors permanently, the country would indeed be left with five instead of six major carriers," he wrote. "But, unlike the situation that would arise if United and US Airways were to merge, a US Airways' departure from the marketplace likely would not trigger additional mergers."
Instead, Kerry suggested, the airline's routes, slots, gates, and assets would be divided up or sold to a new entrant "spurring more rather than less competition in the airline industry.
And
CONCERNS ABOUT AIRLINES MERGER
Date: December 15, 2000 Page: A26 Section: Letters
IN RESPONSE TO YOUR DEC. 8 NEWS STORY ("KERRY OPPOSES UNITED, US AIRWAYS MERGER," BUSINESS):
As someone who hears from angry constituents fed up with the major airlines, I am troubled by the inadequate competition and poor customer service in the airline industry.
Senator John McCain and I have pushed the airline industry to improve customer service, and it is with consumers in mind that I wrote my letter to the departments of Justice and Transportation opposing the US Airways-United merger. This merger would only exacerbate the problems facing today's airline passengers and leave consumers with fewer choices, higher fares, and even worse customer service. I am also very concerned that this merger would hurt workers in Massachusetts and across the country. I felt the Globe story left the impression that I would be indifferent if US Airways were to shut its doors, causing terrible hardship for thousands of employees who depend on the airline for a paycheck, pensions, and health care. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I have had several conversations with workers at US Airways, and I fully appreciate their concern over the loss of jobs and benefits should US Airways ultimately shut down. As federal regulators review the merger, the fate of US Airways workers must be the primary concern, and I will make sure that their voices are heard in Washington.
I still fear that this merger, and airline mergers that will surely follow, will result in loss of jobs and less power at the bargaining table for workers. Though workers at US Airways have been guaranteed that their jobs are secure for the next two years, there is no guarantee beyond that time, and airlines are notorious for laying off workers to cut costs. The new merged airline could well feel pressure to reward shareholders at the expense of its workers.
Senator JOHN F. KERRY
Washington, D.C.
I would love to hear all your opinions about this.