OTHER NEWS - Nov. 3, 1993

United Airlines Unions Not Optimistic: Prospects for a deal giving United Airlines pilots and ground crews a majority stake in the carrier appeared to fade Tuesday as a deadline neared. The International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers warned its members that negotiations in New York between the union group and UAL Corp., United’s parent, “are going slowly and could possibly fail.” A source close to the union who spoke on condition of anonymity said the outcome of the talks might depend on the firmness of a Nov. 13 deadline for United to cancel a proposed sale of 15 flight kitchens. The unions have said the sale of the kitchens, which employ 5,200 Machinists, would kill any chances for a deal. The Machinists would need a week to 10 days to hold a ratification vote on any employee ownership agreement, which means a deal would have to be struck by Friday. On the pilots side, a deal would require only the approval of leaders of the Air Line Pilots Assn., but the union has promised to hold briefings for members.