United Airlines Seeks to Discipline Mechanics

N E W  Y O R K, Aug. 21 -- United Airlines is likely to take disciplinary action against 36 mechanics after over 100 workers called in sick last Sunday and Monday, a Unitedspokesman confirmed today.

As many as 108 mechanics out of approximately 400 working in LosAngeles were suspended for sick calls on Aug. 13 and 14.

The rash of sick calls occurred just as the DemocraticNational Convention was getting underway. United was the “official” carrier for the convention.

Ironically, the International Association of Mechanics,which represents the United mechanics, has formally endorsed AlGore for president.

Union Denies Pressure

An IAM spokesman denied there was any organized action bythe union, and said its contract talks with the company areprogressing.

Most of the workers, originally sent home, have returned towork after being interviewed by United, but the remaining 36 arenow on unpaid leave, company spokesman Matt Triaca said.

The International Association of Machinists’ contract callsfor the company to go through a formal grievance procedure inwhich both the company and the union participate. Triacadeclined to speculate on what penalty United might ultimatelyseek to impose on the workers.

In addition, United imposed mandatory overtime formechanics at its hubs at Chicago’s O’Hare and Washington’s Dullesairports last week. Many mechanics have been refusing overtime,but their contract allows the company to demand that workerstake overtime if it declares an emergency situation.

Triaca described the imposition of mandatory overtime as“isolated incidents.”

In the Dulles case, United was hit unexpectedly with threesimultaneous Boeing 777 arrivals, and held some people for anextra hour, Triaca said.

In the case of Los Angeles, United was able to divert someaircraft to another facility and the sick calls did not have animpact on customers, Triaca said.

IAM spokesman Frank Larkin said the union believes it ismaking good progress on contract talks with the company. Mostof the issues have been put on the table, allowing the twosides to make complete proposals, he said.