Lawmakers criticized for effort to settle TWA merger issues

WASHINGTON -- Missouri lawmakers worried about job cuts at TWA Airlines LLC are proposing to have an arbitrator settle lingering seniority concerns as TWA merges operations with its new owner, American Airlines.

They face opposition from some of American's congressional supporters who say the issue belongs on the bargaining table, not in Congress.

American finalized its purchase of TWA in April and plans to integrate the airlines' operations in January.

Pilot unions for the two companies have been unable to reach agreement to present to American on how much seniority TWA pilots should have.

Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., said he worries that airline industry turmoil from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks will further undermine the talks.

Bond proposed the arbitration this week in the Senate and Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., introduced a similar measure in the House.

In addition to House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, Emerson was joined by Missouri Democratic Reps. Ike Skelton, Lacy Clay and Karen McCarthy and Republican Reps. Kenny Hulshof and Sam Graves of Missouri, Rob Simmons of Connecticut and Jim Gibbons of Nevada.

Foes include Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, a member of GOP leadership who chairs the Commerce Committee panel on aviation. Hutchison called the measure inappropriate as an amendment to airline legislation or as a stand-alone bill.

"She thinks this should be negotiated in the company and that Congress shouldn't be involved in this," said Hutchison's spokeswoman, Lisette Mondello.

Legislation opposed

That is also the position of the labor union representing American pilots, the Allied Pilots Association. Union spokesman Greg Overman criticized the legislation as "an attempt to capitalize on a tragic situation," meaning the terrorist attacks.

"It's not appropriate to look at American's acquisition of TWA as a merger of equals; that is simply not the case," Overman said. "We have been in discussion with TWA pilots over a period of months, and we believe that in the near future, we will be in a position to resolve this. We don't believe that it's an appropriate subject for legislation."

Emerson said she aims to make sure "that when we are looking at the seniority of employees, we are looking at one list -- not a TWA list or an American Airlines list -- but one list that ensures all employees are treated with equality and fairness."