USAir Union Mechanics Vote to Strike

Union mechanics at USAir Group Inc., one of the nation’s largest airlines, rejected a new contract offer Saturday and voted to strike.

The International Assn. of Machinists said the strike would begin Monday morning. But representatives of the union and USAir management scheduled meetings in Washington today in an effort to avert a strike.

The union said 89% of the 8,300 mechanics and service workers it represents had rejected the company’s contract offer, which called for cutbacks in pay and benefits, and 88% favored a strike.

USAir, struggling to strengthen its financial position, had sought to wring pay concessions from machinists similar to those it won from pilots. In return it offered profit sharing and stock options.

USAir spokesman John Bronson said the company has contingency plans to keep its planes flying, but he refused to give details.

The company can use licensed supervisors and other personnel to clean, service and repair airplanes, he said, adding that safety would not be sacrificed.