United Mechanics Ask for Strike Countdown

The National Mediation Board adjourned contract talks between UAL Corp.’s United Airlines and the union representing its mechanics, and the union asked to begin a 30-day countdown to a strike at the world’s largest air carrier, the union said. “We hoped to have an agreement at this point,” said Scotty Ford, the union’s chief negotiator for United’s 15,000 mechanics. “What we have instead is a deadlock.” A spokesman for the Chicago-based carrier said that the National Mediation Board will decide whether there is a deadlock, which determines whether the International Assn. of Machinists can strike. The agency plans to call the two sides together in a couple of weeks, a United spokesman said. UAL shares fell $1.31 to close at $37.56 on the New York Stock Exchange.