Fearing that the contracts of three unions are preventing the company from profitability, United Airlines will ask a bankruptcy judge to void the contracts of the Association of Flight Attendants, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association. If this unprecedented legal action is allowed, United will attempt to force the workers to stay on the job by citing the Railway Labor Act, and will dramatically reduce worker pensions.
See "United maps novel legal strategy in labor fight", Mark Skertic, Chicago Tribune, May 5, 2005