UAL Flight Attendants Fight US Air Merger

The union for United Airlines’ flight attendants said it filed a lawsuit to halt United parent UAL Corp.’s proposed acquisition of US Airways Group Inc.

The Assn. of Flight Attendants, which represents 26,000 United employees, said the complaint addresses concerns over job security and other parts of their collective bargaining agreement, should the deal be completed.

The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago. United Airlines executives declined to comment.

Union officials claimed the airline must negotiate a waiver on job security provisions before the merger goes ahead. About 97% of flight attendants have voted to strike if the airline proceeds with the deal before negotiating a waiver.

The Justice Department is reviewing United’s $4.3-billion bid to buy the smaller airline.

UAL shares rose 21 cents to $33.92 on the New York Stock Exchange.