Order vs. United Mechanics Lifted

Friday, December 8th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

CHICAGO (AP) â€” A federal judge Thursday lifted an order forbidding a work slowdown by United Airlines mechanics, brushing aside a company warning that the move would disrupt service.

U.S. District Judge William J. Hibbler said he revoked the temporary restraining order because it hadn't been effective and he didn't want it to affect federally mediated contract talks that resumed Thursday.

Attorneys for the Machinists union, which represents United ground crews, applauded Hibbler's order. United attorney Robert Siegel warned it ``will send the wrong message.''

The union's contract with United expired in July. The airline says mechanics were taking planes out of service for unnecessary repairs to cause cancellations and delays, and to pressure the airline to return to negotiations.

The airline, despite Hibbler's ruling, said it would seek another preliminary injunction against the union to block future slowdowns.

United, the country's largest airline, said it canceled more than 100 flights by mid-afternoon Thursday â€” 73 because of bad weather and 31 for unscheduled maintenance.

Northwest Airlines, meanwhile, has taken the unusual step of canceling flights up to eight days in advance because of what it says is a backlog of maintenance on planes.

Passengers booked on affected flights are being called in person for rebooking on other Northwest flights or on other airlines, the company said Thursday. The airline, the nation's fourth largest, said it is pre-canceling about 20 flights daily in the upcoming holiday period and blames it on a slowdown by a union representing 9,500 mechanics and cleaners.

Union leaders agreed Monday to a preliminary injunction, but denied mechanics had done anything to disrupt Northwest's flight schedule. The mechanics have been working without a contract for five years and negotiations have broken off.

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On the Net:

AMFA Local 33: http://www.amfa33.org

Northwest: http://www.nwa.com

United: http://www.united.com