United Airlines, IAM eye strike deadline

CHICAGO, May 28 (UPI) -- Contract negotiations between United Airlines and its 19,500 ground workers recessed for part of the Memorial Day weekend, with a strike possible next week.

The International Association of Machinists, representing United's baggage handlers, reservation agents and airport counter workers, told the Los Angeles Times it hopes for an agreement, but is preparing for a strike.

United spokeswoman Jean Medina told the newspaper the carrier was "continuing to exchange proposals and have discussions."

Chicago-based United and the IAM are trying to reach an agreement before Tuesday, when a Chicago bankruptcy judge is to rule on United's request to cancel the workers' contract.

If United can't reach a deal with the union out of court, the airline wants the judge's approval to impose additional wage and benefit cuts on the workers in order to emerge from 2 1/2 years in Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, the Times reported.

United has reached similar deals with its unions representing pilots, mechanics and flight attendants.