United mechanics vote on pay, strike
Advertiser Staff and News Services
United Airlines mechanics voted yesterday on a disputed contract offer that would grant them industry-leading pay but require them to give back some of those wages soon to aid the struggling carrier's recovery effort.
Associated Press
Depending on the verdict on two ballot issues — contract approval and whether to authorize a strike if it fails — a walkout could begin as soon as Feb. 20 unless there is a last-minute settlement or congressional action to block it.
United Airlines mechanics enter a union building in Des Plaines, Ill., to vote on whether to approve a contract or authorize a strike. A strike authorization requires two-thirds of the 12,800 members to vote for a walkout.
An official of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said yesterday the outcome remained highly uncertain, despite earlier union predictions that the 12,800 mechanics and cleaners were likely to reject the contract.
The five-year contract requires a simple majority, while the strike vote needs two-thirds support.
Results were expected late last night or early this morning.
"It's way too close to call," said Tom Reardon, assistant general chairman of IAMAW District Lodge 141-M. "It's a very difficult decision for our members."
Reardon said turnout was high at the union hall closest to O'Hare International Airport and United headquarters, Local 1487 in Des Plaines, Ill. Mechanics also were voting at union halls as far west as Hawai'i.
In Hawai'i, about 66 United aircraft mechanics and about 100 other United workers, including cabin appearance personnel, ground equipment mechanics and building maintenance mechanics, are affected by the contract offer, according to Tom Renville, managing director, United Airlines-Hawai'i.
"These are very individual issues for everybody that they have to consider and vote," Renville said. "We are hopeful that the right outcome will take place. The right outcome for I think all of us is that we resolve the contract issues for all of our union members and agree on how to move forward as a company united."
United mechanics have not received a raise since 1994 and have been working under the terms of the old contract for 19 months. Many are angry after years of turmoil between labor and management at the 55 percent employee-owned carrier.
The airline's offer, recommended by an emergency board appointed by President Bush in December, calls for immediate pay raises of as much as 37 percent. A top United mechanic paid $25.60 an hour would receive a raise to $35.14 immediately and to $37.54 by mid-2004, surpassing the $34 received by American Airlines mechanics.
