United gets OK from judge to cut workers' pay

0 Comments | USA TODAY, February, 2005 | by Marilyn Adams

A bankruptcy judge Monday allowed United Airlines to impose an immediate temporary pay cut on its mechanics and approved negotiated cuts for pilots and flight attendants.

The ruling in Chicago by Judge Eugene Wedoff is expected to save the struggling airline $60 million a month, but complicate its already strained labor relations.

United's mechanics last week voted to reject a new round of pay cuts requested by the airline, and authorized a strike if United breaks their labor contract.

In a hearing Monday, United received permission to cut mechanics' pay 9.8%, effective today, for four months while it negotiates further with the union, or prepares court arguments to break the contract unilaterally.

United contends a strike by its mechanics would be...