This article from NYTimes.com has been sent to you by psa188@xxxxxxxxx /-------------------- advertisement -----------------------\ Explore more of Starbucks at Starbucks.com. http://www.starbucks.com/default.asp?ci=1015 \----------------------------------------------------------/ US Air and Union in Dispute on Overhauls October 7, 2003 By Bloomberg News The US Airways Group, which emerged from bankruptcy protection this year, said yesterday that it had hired a Singapore unit of Technologies Engineering to overhaul 10 aircraft. The airline's mechanics' union will seek to block the action. US Airways, which is based in Arlington, Va., lacks the space and the equipment to work on Airbus SAS A319 planes and will contract with ST Mobile Aerospace Engineering, which is based in Mobile, Ala., and is part of Singapore Technologies, the airline said. The International Association of Machinists, which represents mechanics, said it would seek a temporary restraining order in Federal District Court in Pittsburgh to block US Airways' action. Airlines in the United States have been increasing the use of contractors for maintenance in recent years to cut costs. As part of the financial reworking of US Airways, the company and the union agreed on lower wages and new work rules to help reduce costs. No layoffs will result by using ST Mobile, the airline said. The labor contract bars subcontracting of major maintenance, the union said. "We already have members who are laid off and this work is rightfully theirs," a machinists spokesman, Joe Tiberi, said. A spokesman for the airline, David Castelveter, disputed the union's assertion that US Airways employees were entitled to the work. US Airways has not overhauled its Airbus fleet, and because the company lacks the space and the equipment, a contractor can be hired for the work, he said. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/07/business/07USAI.html?ex=1066531930&ei=1&en=56f2b05d42931d27 --------------------------------- Get Home Delivery of The New York Times Newspaper. Imagine reading The New York Times any time & anywhere you like! Leisurely catch up on events & expand your horizons. Enjoy now for 50% off Home Delivery! Click here: http://www.nytimes.com/ads/nytcirc/index.html 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