11th-Hour Talks Break Off; Union Set to Strike USAir

Negotiators with USAir and the International Assn. of Machinists suspended contract talks early today, and thousands of ground personnel proceeded with plans for a strike against the airline.

Both sides initially agreed early this morning to delay the strike deadline until 7 a.m. Tuesday so they could continue negotiations, said union spokesman Jim Conley. But the union changed its mind and said it would go through with the strike as anticipated.

“They decided it was too late to get everybody notified,” Conley said.

The airline said it has a contingency plan to operate “a substantial amount of normal flight schedules” if the union workers strike at the start of this morning’s shifts--generally 7 a.m. local time.

USAir spokeswoman Susan Young said late Sunday that the union had formally notified the company of its intention to strike barring a settlement.

John Peterpaul, vice president of the union, had said Friday that rank-and-file members followed the advice of leaders and rejected a company-proposed cost-reduction program by a nearly unanimous vote.

A strike would affect 8,300 machinists union members, who perform ground support and maintenance.

USAir is asking all employees for wage, benefit and work rule concessions. The airline, based in Arlington, Va., has lost more than $700 million in the past two years and is seeking approval for a partnership with British Airways to strengthen its financial standing.

The pilots union already has agreed to concessions, and non-union employees have made concessions.

Bob Byrum, president of the machinists local in Charlotte, N.C., said work-rule changes have been a sticking point. USAir wants to use lower-paid workers to push jets at gates, in addition to machinists. The union fears those workers could replace machinists.