This article from NYTimes.com has been sent to you by psa188@xxxxxxxxx /-------------------- advertisement -----------------------\ THE DREAMERS - NOW PLAYING Set against the turbulent political backdrop of 1968 France when the voice of youth was reverberating around Europe, THE DREAMERS is a story of self-discovery as three students test each other to see just how far they will go. THE DREAMERS is released uncut with an NC-17 rating. Watch The Dreamers trailer at: http://www.thedreamers.com \----------------------------------------------------------/ United Unions Assail Plan to Cut Benefits February 20, 2004 By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Filed at 10:53 a.m. ET CHICAGO (AP) -- United Airlines' unions stepped up the pressure on the carrier Friday over its plan to cut retiree health care benefits, with machinists announcing a new campaign of airport demonstrations and public protests. The machinists also organized picketing by retirees outside United's headquarters in suburban Elk Grove Village and the airline's monthly bankruptcy court hearing in Chicago, where flight attendants were seeking the appointment of an outside examiner to look into the plan. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said it had delivered letters to all U.S. senators, urging them to demand that United CEO Glenn Tilton keep its commitment to United retirees. ``United Airlines' attempt to hijack medical benefits promised to retirees is unworthy of a once-great company,'' Robert Roach Jr., general vice president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, said in a news release. Like the flight attendants, the machinists contend United is going back on a pledge to leave retiree benefits fully intact for those who retired before last July 1. The unions maintain that thousands of workers retired early because of that agreement. The airline, which has been restructuring and cutting costs in bankruptcy for the past 14 months, says it never formally made such a commitment. ``Our members made life-altering decisions based upon United's assurance that their medical benefits would be protected,'' said Randy Canale, president of IAM District 141. The union local represents 20,000 active ramp and stores, food service, security guards and public contact employees. United says it intends to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy by the end of June. ------ On the Net: www.united.com http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/business/AP-United-Airlines.html?ex=1078308982&ei=1&en=3be005a78baa6a98 --------------------------------- 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 2004 The New York Times Company