US Airways Sued By Union Over Wages

Shannon Weidemann

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The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers has filed a lawsuit against the US Airways Group Inc. over wages. According to the union some of their workers are not getting the higher wages that they should have received when US Airways and America West merged. They said they had an agreement with the airline in the case that it was bought.

The company, which was in bankruptcy prior to the merger, says the transaction did not constitute a change in control, according to court documents.

US Airways last week filed a complaint in bankruptcy court asking a judge to block the arbitration scheduled to begin on Monday, the union said.

"US Airways is attempting to use the bankruptcy court to shield itself from its contractual obligations," said union Vice President Robert Roach Jr.

The dispute has been ongoing since October 2005. The airline states that raising wages would add a huge expense to their operating costs.