1.   Members are concerned that a merger might mean higher costs, in which case they would oppose it.

2.   Over the next few months the two product ranges will be harmonised and the merger also means a combined, and enlarged, research and development team.

3.   Although Podolsky acknowledged that the merger will mean layoffs, he said there is no point in delaying the inevitable.

4.   Amgen Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Sharer said the merger will mean good things for both companies.

5.   And each merger meant redundancies.

6.   And more big pharmaceutical mergers could mean more competition and, eventually, more funding for the little guy.

7.   As a result, Haverty and small shippers have formed something of an alliance, arguing the point that mergers mean less competition.

8.   A merger would likely mean job cuts in Minneapolis, where both companies are based.

9.   A merger would probably mean job cuts in Minneapolis.

10.   But for several hundred current Aldus employees, the merger will mean only unemployment.