United’s Denial of Jobs to 500 New Pilots Unlawful

A federal judge said today that United Air Lines Inc. violated the law by denying employment and seniority to about 500 newly hired pilots who refused to cross picket lines during the pilots’ strike against the nation’s largest airline.

The court also ruled that the airline’s attempt to give seniority to pilots who worked during the 29-day strike was unlawful.

District Court Judge Nicholas J. Bua ordered United to restore the 500 new pilots to employee status and to assign them immediately to flight service if they have completed training.

He also instructed United not to give preference to non-striking pilots in future assignments or promotions.

Issues Not Settled

The strike ended June 14, when the two sides agreed to let Bua decide back-to-work issues that were not settled when the strike ended.

Chuck Novak, a spokesman for United, said the company had not seen Bua’s opinion and could not comment. No one from the pilot’s union could be reached immediately for comment.

The pilots walked out after the airline proposed that it pay newly hired pilots less than veterans.

The union and the airline agreed May 24 that the two-tier wage system would be in effect for five years and that subsequent negotiations would be held to determine if it would be extended.