Judge Won’t Bar United Mechanics’ Slowdown

A federal judge refused Wednesday to issue a temporary injunction barring United Airlines mechanics from taking part in a work slowdown, saying it would “serve no useful purpose.”

Judge William J. Hibbler also declined to cite the International Assn. of Machinists for contempt of court over the slowdown that the airline says is designed to bring pressure on contract negotiations.

Hibbler’s rulings came as the talks in Washington recessed without a new contract but with both sides issuing conciliatory statements. United said in Chicago, however, that with the Christmas travel period just around the corner, it would take its lawsuit to a federal appeals court.

United says the ground crews have been taking planes out of service, citing safety problems, as a way of causing delays and cancellations to pressure the contract negotiations.

The mechanics are seeking large wage increases in a contract that opened for renewal in July.

The company says the union has been orchestrating the slowdown, a contention the union denies. If a slowdown exists, individual mechanics and a rival labor group are the ones fanning the flames, union officials say.

United attorney Robert A. Siegel said the average number of planes out of service has soared to three times the historical average of 12 on any given day. United officials say that shows deliberate planning.

Hibbler issued a temporary restraining order Nov. 17 barring the mechanics from taking part in such a slowdown. But he lifted that order last week, saying it hadn’t been working very well and that he didn’t want anything the court might do to influence the progress of the talks.

Company attorneys said they were uncertain how long it would take to get the case before the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. But they said they would seek an order reversing Hibbler on an expedited basis.