Advertisement

Overtime Dispute Spurs Talks by Eastern Airlines, Machinists

Share
From Associated Press

Eastern Airlines management and Machinists union officials Wednesday discussed a mandatory overtime dispute that led to a walkout.

Company spokesman Robin Matell said that there were two small, short-lived walkouts Wednesday morning by groups of Machinists workers but that operations were continuing normally.

Up to 1,000 Machinists walked off the job Tuesday afternoon at Miami International Airport. The job action lasted about 3 hours, and management personnel used to replace baggage handlers and other ground services workers enabled the airline to run its flights with minimal delays.

Advertisement

Machinists leaders said they didn’t call for the walkout and said it was spontaneous. Matell blamed it on “public posturing” by the Machinists, whose 16-month-old contract dispute with management has a March 3 deadline for settlement.

Matell said the meeting Wednesday continued discussions from Tuesday on the suspensions for 3 days each of eight to 10 Machinists who refused to work overtime required by their contract. The Machinists said the company failed to show a need for the extra work.

“This is a decision management interprets, when there is a need,” Matell said.

A union member said the strike was a spontaneous action from the rank and file.

Advertisement