Union says election at US Airways set for July
Union says US Airways mechanics to start voting next month on election between IAM, Teamsters
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Labor unions say that mechanics at US Airways will begin voting next month on whether to stay with the machinists' union or jump to the Teamsters.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said Friday that the National Mediation Board will mail out ballot instructions July 8 and voting will be conducted through Aug. 12.
The mediation board, a federal agency that oversees union-representation elections, declined to confirm the schedule given by the IAM.
The Teamsters union is trying to take the place of the IAM, which says it represents about 5,000 mechanics and allied workers at US Airways.
The Teamsters are also targeting the Transport Workers Union, or TWU, which represents mechanics at American Airlines.
American parent AMR Corp. and US Airways Group Inc. hope to close their proposed merger in September. The IAM and the TWU have agreed to share representation of both airlines' mechanics if they win their separate elections against the Teamsters and if the two companies merge.
