Mechanics blamed for Alaska Airlines flight cancellations

Friday, April 30, 1999 | 11:08 a.m.

Alaska Airlines' six daily nonstop flights between Las Vegas and Seattle could be affected by what the airline is calling an illegal work slowdown by its mechanics union.

The slowdown continued today, bringing the number of flights canceled by the airline to 282.

Airline spokesman Jack Evans said the problem is centered around flights from the company's Seattle headquarters.

"All flights to and from Seattle could be affected," Evans said. "We don't have any numbers on Las Vegas specifically at this time."

Mechanics are taking longer than expected to repair planes, leaving aircraft unready for takeoff, Evans said. Most passengers are being accommodated on other flights, he said.

He said since cancellations are being made a day in advance of flights, most passengers are being called ahead of time. Evans recommended that passengers with reservations on Seattle flights call the airline or get cancellation information at its World Wide Web site at www.alaskaairlines.com.

The Airline Mechanics Fraternal Association has been in contract talks with the airline since last summer. At an April 16 rally, union members complained about the slow pace of talks.

Two weeks ago, Alaska Airlines canceled 28 flights, one of them a Portland-to-Las Vegas run, as a result of an employee sick-out. About 330 of the company's 2,600 ticket agents and baggage handlers called in sick in an apparent protest of negotiations that had bogged down.

Both the airline and the union criticized the sick-out and said it would have an adverse effect on negotiations.