Eastern’s largest union filed a lawsuit against the carrier.

The head of Eastern Airlines’ largest union filed a federal lawsuit to block the Miami-based airline from extending an employee wage-concession program. But U.S. District Judge Joe Eaton, who was assigned the case, refused to act on the Machinists Union’s request for a temporary restraining order against the 18% wage cuts the company plans to keep in force this week. The concessions were to have expired Jan. 1 but were unilaterally extended by the firm. Eaton set a Thursday hearing for both sides to argue whether Eastern’s action was legal.