Bush blocks mechanics’ strike

Friday, Dec. 21, 2001 | 9:46 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- President Bush blocked a strike Thursday at United Airlines, the second time this year that the White House has intervened to prevent a walkout at a large carrier.

Bush signed an executive order creating a three-member emergency board responsible for studying the contract dispute between United Airlines and its mechanics and making a settlement recommendation.

The appointment of the board bars a strike for 60 days by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents 13,000 mechanics at United, the nation's second-largest carrier after American Airlines.

Had the White House not acted, United workers would have been free to walk out beginning Friday, effectively shutting down the airline right before the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

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