United Airlines Says Customers Should Book With Confidence

[dbaker]

United Airlines Says Customers Should Book With Confidence; Expects No Disruption to Its Schedule as NMB Recommends Presidential Emergency Board

CHICAGO, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines said today that it did not expect inconvenience to customers as a result of today's developments in negotiations for a new contract with its mechanics represented by the International Association of Machinists (IAM) District 141M.

Following processes laid down by federal law, the National Mediation Board (NMB) has released both parties from mediation and offered both sides binding arbitration. United accepted the offer of arbitration. However, the NMB's arbitration offer was rejected by the IAM.

The NMB therefore will commence a 30-day ``cooling off'' period during which union members are not permitted to engage in a strike or other disruptive labor action. In making its announcement, the NMB said that ``it will recommend that the President create a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) at the end of the cooling off period, thus avoiding any possibility of a work stoppage during the holidays. The NMB expects this step to assist the parties in resolving their dispute.''

[dbaker]

United Airlines Says Customers Should Book With Confidence; Expects No Disruption to Its Schedule as NMB Recommends Presidential Emergency Board

CHICAGO, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines said today that it did not expect inconvenience to customers as a result of today's developments in negotiations for a new contract with its mechanics represented by the International Association of Machinists (IAM) District 141M.

Following processes laid down by federal law, the National Mediation Board (NMB) has released both parties from mediation and offered both sides binding arbitration. United accepted the offer of arbitration. However, the NMB's arbitration offer was rejected by the IAM.

The NMB therefore will commence a 30-day ``cooling off'' period during which union members are not permitted to engage in a strike or other disruptive labor action. In making its announcement, the NMB said that ``it will recommend that the President create a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) at the end of the cooling off period, thus avoiding any possibility of a work stoppage during the holidays. The NMB expects this step to assist the parties in resolving their dispute.''