President May Act on Airline Talks

The White House threatened Monday to intervene in the contract dispute between AMR Corp.’s American Airlines and its flight attendants’ union, effectively nullifying the possibility of a strike next week.

A White House statement said federal mediators have requested the appointment of a Presidential Emergency Board, which would extend the current cooling-off period that is preventing a walkout for an additional 60 days. That 30-day period expires July 1.

“The president will accept that recommendation and create an emergency board if the parties are unable to reach a negotiated settlement,” the statement said.

The carrier and its flight attendants’ union are scheduled to resume talks with federal mediators Thursday.