United Air inks deal with mechanics

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CHICAGO: With United Airlines’ mechanics accepting a tentative contract agreement, the machinists’ union remains the lone holdout in granting the bankrupt carrier further concessions.

The airline and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) struck a deal on Monday on the five-year pact. United’s pilots and flight attendants agreed earlier to five-year deals, although the flight attendants pact is in arbitration.

The mechanics’ deal left the International Association of Machinists as the last of United’s unions without at least a tentative agreement.

Negotiators for the machinists on Monday presented a new contract proposal to United and were awaiting a response, spokesman Joseph Tiberi said. The mechanics’ agreement would not affect IAM’s contract talks, he said. <snip>

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1113435.cms

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1. Mechanics' deal with United cuts pay 3.9%

Tentative pact needs approval of members

By Mark Skertic
Tribune staff reporter
Posted May 17 2005

United Airlines and its mechanics union reached a tentative five-year deal late Monday that slashes workers' pay and benefits to give the carrier $96 million in annual savings.

Union negotiators agreed to a 3.9 percent pay cut and reduced sick time and holiday benefits. Members have been working under a court-imposed 9.8 percent wage cut that expires at the end of this month.

They also will accept a new defined-contribution retirement plan to replace their traditional pension program. <snip>

"The bottom line is, members are going to make the decision." <snip>

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/local/chi-0505170051may17,0,5031224.story?coll=sfla-business-headlines