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AP. 7 January 2002. United Mechanics Sue to Block Bush's Panel That Is
Delaying Their Strike.
WASHINGTON -- United Airlines' mechanics filed suit Monday to block an
emergency panel established by President Bush that delayed the union
from striking last month.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union
wants a federal judge to set aside Bush's executive order establishing
the board. Creation of the board prohibits a strike for at least 60 days
while the panel works to reach an agreement between the union and
airline, based in the Chicago area. Overturning Bush's order would clear
the way for the union to strike.
Bush acted after the National Mediation Board, which oversees labor
relations in the airline and railroad industries, recommended he
intervene and create a board to help break the two-year stalemate. The
union, which represents 15,000 United mechanics, had been set to strike
the weekend before Christmas.
National Mediation Board spokesman Dan Rainey said federal mediators had
no comment.
The lawsuit claims the board did not meet its a legal threshold when it
recommended the panel to Bush. The union claims the overriding reason
was to avoid a strike during the holiday.
The union and United "could have concluded their negotiations but for
the White House's interference," said union President Tom Buffenbarger.
"In this instance the NMB behaved more like a puppet on a string than a
neutral federal agency."
Federal mediators have recommended three airline emergency boards since
Bush took office last year. In the previous 35 years, an emergency board
was established only once.
The emergency board will hold its first hearing Wednesday in Washington.
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