MPs want more time to consider airline merger

Onex CEO comes closer to winning over ALPA pilots Success at meeting contrasts with opposition from Air Canada group

Gerry Schwartz took a big step toward winning the support of pilot union leaders yesterday after a sometimes tense 90-minute meeting with the leaders of the Air Line Pilots Association. His success at that meeting was, however, in sharp contrast to his reception last month at the Air Canada Pilots Association, which remains opposed to the proposed merger of Air Canada and Canadian Airlines International Ltd., under the Onex Corp. banner. While the 2,800 ALPA pilots say they will remain neutral to the Onex or any future counterbid, they admit they lean to the Onex side. "I'm enthusiastic," said Captain Michael Lynch, the ALPA head in Canada and a pilot with Canadian Airlines.

Milton says counteroffer will account for Canadian Sides descend on Ottawa

Airline merger lands in Ottawa

Turbulence is possible as Transport Minister David Collenette buckles into the hot seat Wednesday for a grilling by his colleagues in the Liberal caucus. At issue is the proposed merger between Air Canada and Canadian Airlines.

Liberal dogfight looms on air merger Collenette hopes to shoot down MPs' objections at national caucus meeting this week

Air Canada bid $122M for Canadian in April Circular in the mail: Canadian quit secret merger talks that included AMR

American Airlines can't afford to let Canadian go under

Onex promises merged airline will freeze fares, protect service But Schwartz fails to meet union calls for job guarantees

First Air fears drop in business Needs code-sharing

Open Canadian market to U.S. airlines: Onex chief

Quebec wants airline 'guarantees' Says it will halt merger if jobs, routes and French language aren't protected

Brokers take arms in airlines campaign 11 firms in trenches

Lufthansa willing to buy stake in Air Canada Other carriers stay mum: Wants airline to remain in Star Alliance

Competition Bureau spells out airline merger issues

Canadian Airlines workers bail out to avoid merger cuts

Air Canada likes latest suitor

Air Canada president rules out foreign control; promises to save Canadian jobs

New bid for Air Canada expected

U.S. airline may rescue Canadian: Onex boss American touted as saviour if national merger fails

AIR CANADA RESPONDS TO RUMORS OF POSSIBLE TRANSACTION

Countdown for call centre workers Employees at Air Canada's newest and largest call centre think more than 5,000 jobs will be lost if Onex Corp.'s merger bid succeeds. And they're afraid they will be the first to go

New Air Canada Fixes Broken Industry

Onex Corporation chairman and chief executive officer Gerald Schwartz told Alberta business leaders today that a revitalized Canadian airline industry, as proposed by Onex, will protect jobs in the west and facilitate regional growth.

Air battle heats up as new bid arrives

United, Lufthansa and BMo preparing airline counterbid, says Tribune

Onex battles to overcome bid hurdles

Competition bureau to report on airline industry

Onex bid faces hurdles

Quebec concerned about airline merger

Collenette can't placate worried air workers

The union that represents flight attendants at Canada's two major airlines is not satisfied with the answers it's getting from the transport minister on the Onex merger scheme.

Air Canada pilot fears 'virus' from merger Employees voice concerns for job security at airlines

Employee fears about the proposed merger of Canada's two national airlines spilled out yesterday when a senior pilot claimed the virus from a "sick" Canadian Airlines would contaminate Air Canada if the two combined

NDs, Liberals back Getty in Onex dispute Tory MLAs, Reform MP say politicians should stay out of the controversy

Air Canada lifted by counterbid speculation Shares top $10 mark

Onex plans pledge on airline jobs List of principles would also cover ownership, service

Ottawa still vague on airline merger

Experts at odds on post-merger prospects

Onex Corp.'s proposed merger of Air Canada and money-losing Canadian Airlines will result in a stronger single carrier that will enjoy a higher credit rating than Air Canada's current standing, says a new research report.

Not even Onex had an idea it would set off so many sparks Proposed bank mergers didn't get this much attention

The aerial dogfight between Canada's national carriers has become so bitter that even much-vaunted union solidarity is crumbling. Financial Post ran a story this week saying that two of Air Canada's unions opposed a proposal floated by Robert Milton, president and chief executive of Air Canada, to extend their labour contracts. Buzz Hargrove, president of the Canadian Auto Workers union (CAW), fulminated against the idea as did Denise Hill, president of the airline division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

Relief, suspicion greet transport minister

The proposed bid to merge Canada's two main airlines would likely be rejected under new conditions set out by the transport minister, the head of the Air Canada Pilots Association said Wednesday. When David Collenette set out criteria for a review of the plan to merge Canadian and Air Canada, he gave pilots hope that Ottawa will kill the Onex bid, Jean-Marc Belanger said Wednesday. But not everyone thought Collenette cleared the air when he set out five conditions the Onex bid will have to meet, from protection for consumers and small communities to Canadian control of the industry. Unions and opposition politicians complained Collenette was too vague and failed to offer direction.

CUPE Flight Attendants Comment on Meeting with Minister Collenette

ONEX Proposal FCM Calls on Federal Government to Ensure Communities will not Pay the Price of an Airline Merger

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) believes that a possible merger of Canadian and Air Canada will impact negatively on cost and service levels of air travel across Canada, and especially in smaller communities. This unanimous conclusion was reached by the 68 municipal leaders who comprise the FCM National Board of Directors. "We are concerned about the implications resulting from the creation of a single, national airline," said Mayor Ann MacLean (New Glasgow, Nova Scotia), Chair of the FCM Standing Committee on National Transportation and Communications. "Without adequate and effective competition, or appropriate regulation by government of fares and service, we strongly believe that a monopoly situation would lead to an increase in costs and a reduction in service, particularly to small and remote communities."

Thomas Cook urges MPs to find alternatives to ``Air Monopoly'' Canada's largest leisure travel company speaks for over one million travellers.

Onex wins ruling on Air Canada vote Decision clears way for meeting on ,$1.8B takeover bid

Why the silence on airlines merger? Getty asks Alberta politicians chided for failure to get involved

Chretien hedges bets on Air Canada controversy

Canadian Airlines Launches ``On Course'' Awareness Campaign

Canadian Airlines will launch in early October a customer awareness campaign on the Onex proposal to merge Canadian Airlines and Air Canada.

The Qu�bec Federal Liberal caucus is looking for the best solution to the problems of Canada's airline industry -- Gerry Schwartz, Onex

Rob Dexter to address parliamentary committee on `air monopoly'

Collenette to speak on Onex airline proposal

Unofficial hearings begin Tuesday into airline merger plan

Unions cool to Milton's pitch for longer contracts It's a gimmick: Hargrove

I win, you lose

Machinists lobby MP's on air transport restructuring

Air Ontario flight attendants seek new contract

CUPE: Contract talks on for regional carrier

Air Ontario flight attendants, who tabled contract proposals with the company today, are hopeful of a deal in spite of uncertainty in the airline industry. "We must increase wages and benefits," said union component president Joslyn Dicks, "and it will come as no surprise that we want job security, given the current events over our national airlines." Air Ontario is wholly owned by Air Canada, but its flight attendants earn a lot less than their counterparts at the bigger airline (there was a $10 gap at the top rate even before flight attendants at Air Canada got raises in their recent contract, says Dicks). The flight attendants want benefit improvements, cost of living adjustments, shorter duty days and longer crew rests.

Onex fuels assault on Air Canada Issues statement refuting merger target's circular

Air Canada using 'scare tactics': Onex

Airlines and bad roads top transport conference agenda

Canada's transport ministers will wrestle with problems of the land, sea and air when they meet this week to discuss ways of patching up the country's ailing transportation system. The ministers will gather Tuesday for a private political meeting held in conjunction with the annual conference of the Transportion Association of Canada, which begins Saturday in this New Brunswick port city. Talks are expected to be dominated by two complex and controversial isses: the Onex bid to merge Canadian Airlines with Air Canada and the deteriorating and dangerous state of Canada's highways.

Corporate agenda weakens Air Canada ads Campaign used to address takeover concerns

The merry bus ride to bad air policy

Financial Post Editorial

Doughnuts, airlines and national institutions Linda McQuaig

Airline workers' secret advantage: strong unions Non-union workers at Eaton's facing an uncertain future by Bill Tieleman National Post

Unions cool to Milton's pitch for longer contracts It's a gimmick: Hargrove

I win, you lose

Machinists lobby MP's on air transport restructuring

CUPE: Contract talks on for regional carrier

Air Ontario flight attendants, who tabled contract proposals with the company today, are hopeful of a deal in spite of uncertainty in the airline industry. "We must increase wages and benefits," said union component president Joslyn Dicks, "and it will come as no surprise that we want job security, given the current events over our national airlines." Air Ontario is wholly owned by Air Canada, but its flight attendants earn a lot less than their counterparts at the bigger airline (there was a $10 gap at the top rate even before flight attendants at Air Canada got raises in their recent contract, says Dicks). The flight attendants want benefit improvements, cost of living adjustments, shorter duty days and longer crew rests.

Onex fuels assault on Air Canada Issues statement refuting merger target's circular

Air Canada using 'scare tactics': Onex

Airlines and bad roads top transport conference agenda

Canada's transport ministers will wrestle with problems of the land, sea and air when they meet this week to discuss ways of patching up the country's ailing transportation system. The ministers will gather Tuesday for a private political meeting held in conjunction with the annual conference of the Transportion Association of Canada, which begins Saturday in this New Brunswick port city. Talks are expected to be dominated by two complex and controversial isses: the Onex bid to merge Canadian Airlines with Air Canada and the deteriorating and dangerous state of Canada's highways.

Corporate agenda weakens Air Canada ads Campaign used to address takeover concerns

The merry bus ride to bad air policy

Financial Post Editorial

Machinists Welcome Reports About Transport Restructuring Rules

Dave Ritchie, Canadian Vice President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today welcomed reports that Transport Minister David Collenette is expected to announce ``rules'' for air transport restructuring at a meeting of federal and provincial transport ministers next week. ``At our meeting with the minister on Monday he demonstrated a positive attitude about our concerns. We urged the minister to set out some ``rules of the game'' for air transport restructuring before any deal is consummated because of the pending consequences for jobs, loss of service to our communities, foreign ownership and consumer protection.''

Canadian could last one year without merger

Catering windfall may go to Onex Benson has 'options'

Catering to a combined Air Canada and Canadian Airlines Corp. could bring a windfall worth more than $100-million to Onex Corp., industry watchers said yesterday. Toronto-based Onex, which is attempting to buy the two airlines and merge them in a $5.7-billion deal, also owns Sky Chefs, a catering business. In March, Onex sold part of its stake in Sky Chefs to the German airline, Lufthansa, giving both companies about a 48% interest in Sky Chefs, although Onex retains voting control.

Secret merger talks detailed Air Canada nixed Canadian's offer, then demanded $1 billion: Benson

Machinists call off airline strike Assurances from collenette

Machinists union calls off illegal strike, source says

Machinists put walkout on hold

The country's largest airline union has withdrawn a threat to shut down air travel next Monday, but refuses to rule out an illegal walkout if it does not like the outcome of the industry's restructuring. The strike threat is on hold for now, according to an internal memo issued by the 18,500-member International Association of Machinists. The union refused to comment publicly on the outcome of a long meeting of local leaders Monday night in Ottawa.

Airline workers stand by strike threat

Collenette steps into Onex fray

Escape fee in CAI-AMR contract could force an Air Canada counterbid to soar Breaking technology services agreement could cost Canadian 'hundreds of millions'

Top brass at Air Canada guaranteed soft landing Milton to get $1.95 million if he loses battle to fend off Onex

Cool your jets, airline staff told Anti-Onex graffiti isn't helping your cause, Air Canada says

Technology jobs at stake under Onex plan, says report

Consumer allies urge Ottawa to steer airline deal 5-member coalition: Federal inaction is 'completely irresponsible'

Union scheduled to meet minister of transport today Some disunity in ranks

Union leaders representing airplane mechanics, baggage handlers and other workers today meet David Collenette, the federal Transport Minister, but it remains to be seen whether there is support for a Sept. 27 strike that would shut down Canada's airways. Dave Ritchie, head of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace workers, threatened an illegal strike in late August, saying his 19,000 workers will lay down their tools unless the government guarantees no job losses will result from any airline deal.

Counterbid for Air Canada may be 'weeks away' Offer rebuffed: New suit launched to challenge legality of Onex offer

Onex, Air Canada meet in court

Transport minister reassures Liberal caucus on Onex

Opposition parties to hear case of airlines Hearings review merger

AMR boss hits 'nationalist' Air Canada defence

Onex argues for quick vote on Air Canada bid

Uphill battle for Onex as judge questions tactics

AMR has no hidden agenda: chairman

Competition experts decry use of Section 47 Move called 'end run' around intention of act

It's not often that an obscure provision of a dry act of Parliament ignites passionate debate. But that's been the case from the start for Section 47 of the Canada Transportation Act, invoked Aug. 13 by Ottawa to suspend normal competition rules for three months so airline industry players could talk about restructuring. Air Canada, trying to fend off a hostile takeover bid by Onex Corp., has taken the federal government to court to argue the section is being improperly used.

Air Canada held secret merger talks with rival Canadian rejected offer as inadequate

Air Canada says Onex bid "unacceptable"

Air Canada board rejects Onex offer

Pivotal week ahead in airline merger battle

Airline merger battle to get nastier this week

New survey shows opposition building to proposed airline merger

Air Canada prepares its counter assault Circular today: One analyst predicts huge returns if Onex bid successful

Merged airline could reap rewards from tax losses Rebate transferable: Canadian has $180M in tax loss carry forwards

Onex chairman blisters Air Canada for smear campaign

Onex chairman plays down significance of Liberal ties in pitch to Reform MPs Defends business dealings: Political activities no reason to be forced on to sidelines: Schwartz

A Canadian airline workers' union repeated its threat Friday to stage an illegal strike over the proposed merger of the country's two major airlines -- despite being promised talks with the federal government . ``We've always believed that if we could get to the table that the chances are the strike would not go ahead,'' said Dave Ritchie, Canadian vice-president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM).

Collenette defends Feds' handling of airline industry

Airline, unions talk takeover bid Bankers join discussions on how to thwart Onex's $5.7-billion 'final' bid to merge carriers

Air Canada employees work on counterbid Onex says it won't sweeten its offer

Employee buyout is no easy way out There's powerful motivation for a pilot-led buyout of Air Canada, but the discouraging factors include finding financial backers, daunting debt levels, and probable job and pay cuts

Ottawa denies favouring Onex bid Unions lobby Ottawa

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Welcomed the Announcement by Transport Minister

Dave Ritchie, Canadian Vice President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today welcomed the announcement by Transport Minister David Collenette that the government had responded positively to the IAM request for dialogue with our union on the initiative's to restructure Canada's Air Transport industry. ``It is a positive signal that the government recognizes the absolute need to incorporate our concerns in any, and I do emphasize any, restructuring initiative,'' Ritchie said.

CUPE Flight Attendants Respond to Collenette

``Minister Collenette finally broke the silence today, and still managed to abdicate his responsibility to Canadians regarding the current crisis in the airline industry,'' stated Judy Darcy, National President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. CUPE represents 10 000-flight attendants in the airline industry and close to half a million workers across Canada in other sectors.

CAW asks Collenette for Parliamentary Vote

In response to Transport Minister Collenette's remarks today, CAW president Buzz Hargrove sent the following letter.

CLC President calls on Collenette to meet with unions

CAW Air Canada leadership address airline crisis

Air Canada Pilots Oppose American Airlines/ONEX Bid

Collenette calls on union leaders to cool it.

Pilots call for unions to adopt a common flight path Mixed membership

Lobbyists in frenzy over airline merger war Onex Corp.'s bid shaping up as the biggest game in the capital

Air Canada fires Royal as trustee

Air Canada is firing Royal Trust as trustee for a share ownership plan because of its parent company's involvement with Onex Corp.'s hostile takeover bid for the airline, the Globe and Mail reported Saturday.

Caisse was mystery buyer of airline stock

CBC Indepth: Canada's Airlines

The decline of the airline industry in the 1990s.

Liberal MPs jump into the fray over airlines' merger Quebec meeting: Concern over Onex deal parallels debate on banks

Machinists union steps up air transport campaign

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is activating its entire 50,000 Canadian members to keep the pressure on the federal government to meet with stakeholders in the air transportation industry in Canada. IAM Canadian Vice President, Dave Ritchie told a meeting of the IAM Canadian staff here to mobilize their respective memberships to press individual Members of Parliament to get the government to agree to a meeting with communities, the flying public and workers' unions to discuss proposals for air transport restructuring.

MEDIA ADVISORY - Air Canada Pilots - Press Conference

The Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) will hold a press conference at 11 AM in Toronto on Thursday, September 9th to comment on the proposed American Airlines/ONEX take-over of Air Canada. Captain Jean-Marc B�langer, Chair of ACPA's Master Executive Council, will be available for questions.

Lobbying war heats up over airline takeover bid

A month before MPs are expected back, there are signs Ottawa is getting more than it bargained for when it suspended competition law in the airline industry in August. Transport Minister David Collenette insists a proposal by Onex Corp. to merge Air Canada and Canadian Airlines International into one national carrier is a private-sector matter until shareholders of both companies accept the deal.

AIR CANADA RECEIVES ONEX PROPOSAL

Air Canada announced that it has today received a copy of the takeover bid circular of Airline Industry Revitalization Co. (``AirCo''), a corporation controlled by Onex Corporation (``Onex''), respecting the offer by AirCo to acquire all the issued and outstanding Common Shares and Class A Non-Voting Shares of the Corporation.

Pilots join growing labour opposition to Onex airline deal

Bid to shut down airlines will stall: union leader

Air Canada pilots may mount takeover bid

Labour leaders want a piece of looming airline merger

Onex chairman takes shot at Air Canada pilots

Air Canada stock takes flight Jumps 11% as purchase of millions of shares sparks speculation a competing bid is being prepared

CAW says no to threatened airline strike...for now

Onex, Air Canada to square off in court

Air Canada-Canadian merger a marriage made in hell, say experts

Collenette criticized for airline merger; fare hikes predicted

Air fares in Canada will go up by 20 to 30 per cent within a year of Onex Corp. buying and merging Canada's two national air carriers, says an economics professor from the University of British Columbia. This is just some of the criticism to emerge this week from academics, unions and business people over what is perceived as the federal government's answer to airline woes in Canada.

Regional airlines leery of new role Ottawa's plan hinges on small carriers moving to fill void created by merger

Aviation pioneer blames Ottawa for industry's woes Max Ward says devalued dollar among policies that have hurt sector

CUPE demands government get involved Airline unions irate: Ottawa waiting to see what happens to Onex proposal

Angry flight attendants at Air Canada and Canadian Airlines International have joined a union chorus demanding the federal government intervene directly in the battle for control of the country's skies. The Canadian Union of Public Employees, representing 7,500 flight attendants, called yesterday for a meeting with David Collenette, the Transport Minister, to discuss the future of the industry. The Canadian Auto Workers and the International Association of Machinists want the same thing.

CUPE : Union Calls for "Viable Airline Industry in the Public Interest."

CAW DOES NOT SUPPORT ONEX TAKEOVER OF AIRLINES (CBC ONLINE NEWS COVERAGE)

== RealVideo, Text & Pictures == Buzz Hargrove emerged from his meeting with Onex Corp. Chairman Gerry Schwartz Monday saying his union does not support the merger proposal for Canada's two airlines.

AIRLINE NEEDS GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT

== RealVideo, Text & Pictures == While adopting a wait and see approach to the Onex Corporation's bid to buy both Air Canada and Canadian Airlines, CAW National President Hargrove called for a "no layoff pledge' during the airline restructuring. Hargrove said the Onex offer makes direct ownership involvement by the federal government essential.

CAW supports two airline policy

HARGROVE SENDS LETTER TO COLLENETTE

CAW president Buzz Hargrove sent the following letter to Transport Minister David Collenette following today's announcement by Onex Corp.

CAW'S HARGROVE CALLS FOR NO AIRLINE LAYOFFS AFTER ONEX ANNOUNCEMENT

Canadian Auto Workers union president Buzz Hargrove while adopting a "wait and see"' approach to Onex Corporation's proposal, called for a no layoff pledge during airline restructuring in Canada.

Aviation collusion ruled out Allegations against Canadian, Air Canada dismissed

Canadian Airlines wants cooperation with Air Canada

The chief executive of Canadian Airlines says the country's major airlines should stop fighting before they are both destroyed. Speaking at the airline's annual general meeting, Kevin Benson called the competition between Canadian and Air Canada "mindless," adding the two airlines should cooperate instead of compete.

Canadian Airlines seeking cash Talk of potential partners may be focus of annual meeting

Canadian Airlines is optimistic that it will soon clinch a deal for a much-needed capital infusion, but the announcement won't be made at today's annual shareholders meeting in Calgary.