Unless mechanics win wage hikes, Feb 20 strike is likely

[afang]

United, union face 30-DAY cool-off
Unless mechanics win wage hikes, Feb. strike is likely

But with United and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers still far apart in their two-year dispute over wages and pensions, the upshot of the Presidential Emergency Board's move is to extend a "cooling-off" period by 30 days.

Five days of negotiations failed to yield a new labor agreement Saturday, and if the two sides can't reach an accord by Feb. 19, the chances of a strike are high.

The White House, responding to the board's recommendation, issued in a statement that Bush "remains concerned about the effect an airline strike could have on the traveling public and on the economy."

The White House urged the union and airline to work together to resolve their differences.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/yh oo/story.asp?source=blq/yhoo&siteid=yhoo&dist=yhoo&guid=%7B94D0DB06%2DC1BF %2D42A3%2DB0BC%2D3355DF344459%7D

[afang]

United, union face 30-DAY cool-off
Unless mechanics win wage hikes, Feb. strike is likely

But with United and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers still far apart in their two-year dispute over wages and pensions, the upshot of the Presidential Emergency Board's move is to extend a "cooling-off" period by 30 days.

Five days of negotiations failed to yield a new labor agreement Saturday, and if the two sides can't reach an accord by Feb. 19, the chances of a strike are high.

The White House, responding to the board's recommendation, issued in a statement that Bush "remains concerned about the effect an airline strike could have on the traveling public and on the economy."

The White House urged the union and airline to work together to resolve their differences.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/yh oo/story.asp?source=blq/yhoo&siteid=yhoo&dist=yhoo&guid=%7B94D0DB06%2DC1BF %2D42A3%2DB0BC%2D3355DF344459%7D