Friendly mergers can really derive leverage and value for the shareholders and for the employees. Both companies will work together to plan an integration strategy, and the value of a merger really only comes in the post-merger integration.

You have such a high level of insecurity that morale starts to drop dramatically. Employees are somewhat insecure and concerned.

Sometimes, ... the interest of management and the rest of the employees are not well aligned.

A line has been drawn in the sand, ... it's nowhere near the level [the FTC is] going to put them on in the future.

There is a lot of fear when an acquisition takes place. Most people are fiddling around with their resumes on their computers.

We believe we have an excellent benefits package for our union employees that reflects the value we place on their many contributions to the university. These include dental, life insurance, and pension benefits and a range of health plan options. One of those plans fully covers the employee's health insurance premium, a benefit few employers provide these days.