Eastern Cuts Shuttle Fare to $12, Restores 80 Flights

Eastern Airlines fought back against a crippling strike today by packing its Northeast Shuttle with passengers at $12 a head and announcing restoration of 80 flights a day, mostly Latin American and top domestic routes.

But thousands of angry and confused Eastern ticket-holders trying to get refunds or fly on other carriers learned that they will have to pay more or put in their claims in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

A judge in New York extended his order barring commuter railroad workers from honoring any picket lines thrown up by Eastern’s striking machinists union.

“We are going to rebuild this airline in prudent, sensible increments and get our men and women back to work so they can support their families,” Eastern President Philip J. Bakes said today. “This is the beginning of a new smaller, restructured and viable Eastern Airlines.”

Eastern said the more than 140 daily flights, including 62 shuttle flights connecting Boston, New York and Washington, will be operated with picket line-crossing employees who have been with the company since before the start of the strike Saturday over Eastern’s demand for contract concessions.

But strikers charged that the crews on the restored flights beginning Sunday and Monday will be from Eastern’s sister carrier, Continental Airlines, and vowed to extend pickets to that airline, treating parent Texas Air Corp. as a single company.

More than 300 workers from around New Jersey rallied today in support of Eastern’s machinists, offering them money and help walking picket lines.

“I have never . . . seen this kind of solidarity,” said Matthew Adams, AFL-CIO regional representative from Washington.