United Airlines has settled its contract disputes with two unions, the machinists and the mechanics, who threatened to strike over pensions and wage cuts. The airline, attempting to fight off bankruptcy, has demanded concessions from several of its unions over the past year. Even with the optimism expressed by both union leaders and company representatives after the latest contract settlements, the bruising labor negotiations have left many employees bitter.
See "United Averts Strikes, Saves on Labor", Mike Colias, Chicago Tribune, May 31, 2005