This article from NYTimes.com has been sent to you by psa188@xxxxxxxxx United Mechanics' Union OKs Contract April 11, 2003 By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Filed at 9:24 a.m. ET CHICAGO (AP) -- The union representing United Airlines' mechanics announced a tentative agreement Friday on a contract providing United with $2.09 billion in labor savings over six years. The announcement represents another significant step for United in its bankruptcy restructuring. The mechanics' union was the only group that had failed to agree to a new long-term contract as part of the airline's push to slash labor costs drastically during its Chapter 11 reorganization. The pact must still be ratified by the more than 10,000 mechanics and aircraft cleaners. Voting is scheduled for April 29. Without an agreement, bankruptcy court hearings were set to begin Monday on United's motion to void the mechanics' contract May 1 and have its own wages and work rules imposed. The International Association of Mechanics and Aerospace Workers said the yearly modifications to pay and benefits total $349 million under the pact, including a 13 percent cut in wages. If approved, that is the last remaining portion of the $2.56 billion in annual cuts sought by United. ``From the moment United Airlines declared bankruptcy on Dec. 9, a painful restructuring was inevitable,'' said Scotty Ford, president of IAM District 141-M representing the mechanics. ``Despite proposed changes to pay, benefits and working conditions, this agreement preserves the essential value of a job at United Airlines.'' United hoped to get a second dose of good news later Friday when the pilots' union was scheduled to announce voting results on ratification of a contract that would result in $1.1 billion in annual savings for United. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/business/AP-United-Airlines.html?ex=1051068920&ei=1&en=5ce3b0a98ce8ced4 HOW TO ADVERTISE --------------------------------- For information on advertising in e-mail newsletters or other creative advertising opportunities with The New York Times on the Web, please contact onlinesales@xxxxxxxxxxx or visit our online media kit at http://www.nytimes.com/adinfo For general information about NYTimes.com, write to help@xxxxxxxxxxxx Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company