United Mechanics to Vote Whether to Strike

Despite indications the White House will not allow a strike during the holidays, mechanics at United Airlines will vote Thursday whether to do just that.

Mechanics at No.2 United, a unit of UAL Corp., are embroiled in the first major test of relations between labor and management since the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States threw the industry into chaos and financial desperation.

United, which gave pilots a huge pay raise last year, wants to avoid another costly contract, analysts have said. Mechanics say theyhaven’t had a pay raise since 1994.

This time, the stakes are higher as management, seeking ways to cut costs for good, battles against powerful unions not keen on bending to executives’ demands.

A spokesman said a “yes” vote from two-thirds of those voting is needed to approve a strike.

United and other carriers continue to bleed money in the wake of the attacks as demand for airline travel remains below normal levels. Fares are cheap in many markets, prompting losses for airlines even as planes begin to fill up.

The International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, representing 15,000 mechanics under District 141M, and United have been negotiating for two years to no avail.

UAL posted a record loss of $1.16 billion for the third quarter, far surpassing the drains at other major airlines.