US Airways Attendants Move to End Talks

US Airways Group Inc.’s flight attendants union asked a federal agency to release it from contract talks with the carrier, saying the two sides can’t reach agreement. The Assn. of Flight Attendants, which represents about 9,800 US Airways workers, must get permission from the National Mediation Board to end negotiations. Once the board agrees to end the talks, it offers both sides arbitration. If either side rejects that, a 30-day cooling-off period starts, after which the union can strike or the company can impose work rules. The union said that after three years of negotiations, key provisions on pay, pension and benefits remain unresolved. “We want a contract, not a strike,” said Lynn Lenosky, president of the AFA master executive council for US Airways. “But it’s unfair that this company has stalled . . . for three years.” A spokesman for the Arlington, Va.-based airline said the carrier “will continue to work” for an equitable contract.” Flight attendants plan to picket at 16 U.S. airports on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving and a heavy travel day. US Airways’ shares slipped 44 cents to close at $27.88 on the New York Stock Exchange.