United Downgrades ‘Operational Emergencies’

United Airlines, the world’s largest airline, is downgrading the “operational emergencies” it declared at six airport locations to force mechanics to work overtime, the machinists union said. The union, the International Assn. of Machinists, said the decision to pull back on the mandatory overtime was made after discussions this week between the union and United. Although the union denies any organized action, many of United’s mechanics had refused overtime or used other slowdown tactics since their contract became amendable, or open for negotiation. Operational emergency conditions permit mandatory overtime and carry severe penalties for refusal. United, a unit of UAL Corp., had said Wednesday that it would declare operational emergencies at Denver, Washington Dulles, Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis and Portland, Ore. UAL shares rose $2.19 to close at $50.38 on the New York Stock Exchange.