Tuesday Teamster Airline Division Director Don Treichler issued a letter to Continental Airlines CEO Larry Kellner notifying him about the Teamsters interest in the potential airline mergers between Continental Airlines-United Airlines and Delta Airlines-Northwest Airlines.

Continental Airlines cannot merge with another carrier unless approved by Northwest Airlines.  Northwest holds a "Golden Share" of Continenal Stock.

News reports show the increased possibility of a deal between Delta and Northwest Airlines and Treichler stated "a Northwest merger could make this a non-factor. We look forward to the appropriate dialogue should the aforementioned merger move forward."

In respect to personnel integration Treichler stated "As advance notice, should the Continental-United merger occur, it is the Teamsters general position that the seniority integration of the mechanic and related employees be accomplished by date of hire under the auspices of sections 3 and 13 of Allegheny-Mohawk, among other conditions."

About 9,300 United Airlines employees are currently represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, but are scheduled to vote for representation between February 26 and March 3.

Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa on the upcoming vote “We expect to win this election, Teamster organizers left no stone unturned in contacting employed and furloughed mechanics throughout the country.”

Continental Airlines Technicians are currently Teamsters.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 40,000 airline employees, including more than 9,000 mechanics and related at 11 airlines such as Continental and UPS.