B) Posted 2/9/2006 8:35 AM
Fight breaks out with US Airways, AmWest unions
By Dawn Gilbertson, The Arizona Republic
Tensions between unions at the recently merged America West and US Airways turned ugly in Philadelphia on Wednesday, when representatives from two competing unions got into a fight in an airport hotel meeting room.
An official with Tempe-based US Airways confirmed the incident at the Philadelphia Airport Marriott, which involved the police and sent some union representatives to the hospital.
"We're conducting our own investigation, and we're working with the local authorities and cooperating with them as they conduct their investigation," spokeswoman Elise Eberwein said.
She would not speculate on the reasons for the fight, which occurred as representatives of the Transport Workers Union were holding an information session for workers of the old US Airways. The union, which represents America West baggage handlers and related workers, is in a battle with the International Association of Machinists to represent the baggage handlers of the combined airline. The IAM represents baggage handlers from the old US Airways, a significantly larger group of workers.
Pat Rezler, local president of the America West unit of the TWU, was not at the meeting but said the fight broke out when a group of IAM officials barged into the meeting room and said the union representatives should not be there. An altercation ensued, he said.
"There's competition going on, and basically it erupted today," Rezler said. "It's just disappointing that it came to this."
IAM officials in Philadelphia did not respond to a call seeking comment.
The Arizona Republic is owned by Gannett, USA TODAY's parent company.
Fight breaks out with US Airways, AmWest unions
By Dawn Gilbertson, The Arizona Republic
Tensions between unions at the recently merged America West and US Airways turned ugly in Philadelphia on Wednesday, when representatives from two competing unions got into a fight in an airport hotel meeting room.
An official with Tempe-based US Airways confirmed the incident at the Philadelphia Airport Marriott, which involved the police and sent some union representatives to the hospital.
"We're conducting our own investigation, and we're working with the local authorities and cooperating with them as they conduct their investigation," spokeswoman Elise Eberwein said.
She would not speculate on the reasons for the fight, which occurred as representatives of the Transport Workers Union were holding an information session for workers of the old US Airways. The union, which represents America West baggage handlers and related workers, is in a battle with the International Association of Machinists to represent the baggage handlers of the combined airline. The IAM represents baggage handlers from the old US Airways, a significantly larger group of workers.
Pat Rezler, local president of the America West unit of the TWU, was not at the meeting but said the fight broke out when a group of IAM officials barged into the meeting room and said the union representatives should not be there. An altercation ensued, he said.
"There's competition going on, and basically it erupted today," Rezler said. "It's just disappointing that it came to this."
IAM officials in Philadelphia did not respond to a call seeking comment.
The Arizona Republic is owned by Gannett, USA TODAY's parent company.
