THE WEB PAGES FROM AUSTRALIA AOL SITES

US Airways pilots ask for federal mediation

November 14, 2009, 06:42 AM Post Comments
| More

The pilot union at US Airways Group Inc. is asking for federal mediation in its negotiations with the airline.

The two sides have been negotiating a new contract since 2005.

America West airlines bought US Airways that year, but pilots from the two airlines still fly different planes under separate union contracts.

The US Airways Pilots Association says the talks are "hopelessly stalled."

A US Airways spokesman says it has not seen the request for a mediator and has no comment.

Federal mediation is a common step in airline negotiations, which often drag on for years.

The union is in a legal fight with former America West pilots over seniority. Oral arguments are planned next month in the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

In the News...

Loading comments service...

Latest Galleries on AOL

Lens Eye View: Have a look at some of the interesting moments captured on camera by photographers world over.