The International Association of Machinists indicated yesterday that it still plans to request that an impasse be declared in its current negotiations over a contract for 23,000 United Airlines ramp and public relations employees, when the two sides meet with the National Mediation Board this Thursday (see WIT for Feb. 26, 2002). Talks between IAM and United broke down three weeks ago due to disagreements over wages and benefits, and the two sides have not met since (see WIT for March 21, 2002). The IAM has indicated that the positions of its own and the company's negotiators are very close, and wants the government to allow a strike countdown to begin in the hopes that this will lead to a settlement as it did in the union's negotiations with United over a contract for machinists earlier this year (see WIT for Feb. 14, 2002).