US Airways shareholders vote on American merger

US Airways shareholders are meeting to vote on the proposed merger with American Airlines, one of the final steps remaining in the deal to create the world's biggest airline.

Owners of US Airways Group Inc stock would get 28 per cent of the stock in the combined company, with the rest going to creditors, employees and shareholders of American Airlines parent AMR Corp.

The deal is being reviewed by antitrust regulators at the US Department of Justice. Critics of the merger worry that it will reduce competition and drive up prices.

About 50 members of the Service Employees International Union are protesting outside the building where the US Airways meeting is being held. They are demanding better pay for airport workers.