Strike looms at United after pension move
Strike looms at United after pension move — The U.S. government on Thursday took over pension plans covering flight attendants and other workers at UAL Corp.’s bankrupt United Airlines, a move that may trigger a labor strike by the flight attendants. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. (PBGC) said the plans covering attendants and administrative employees are underfunded by more than $4 billion and cover more than 70,000 current and former workers. (Reuters)
As gas prices climb, gas piracy rises — Thefts of fuel from service stations are rising with the price of gasoline, and states are cracking down with stiffer penalties for pump-and-run pirates. As the average price of a gallon of regular gas, $2.21, stands near record levels this holiday weekend, gas station owners say thefts are soaring. In response, at least 10 states have stiffened penalties this year or are considering it. (USA Today)
Vancouver ferry plows into yacht club — A massive ferry carrying 544 passengers plowed into a marina as it prepared to dock Thursday morning in Vancouver, British Columbia, crushing several boats and heavily damaging the piers, officials said. (CNN)
US Airways: merger will be done by fall — US Airways Group Inc. filed a new business plan with a Virginia bankruptcy court on Thursday and said it was on track to complete its merger with America West Airlines by autumn. Many details of the plan have been disclosed in recent days in regulatory and bankruptcy court filings, including plans for a $150 million rights offering for shares of the merged carrier.
Amtrak cuts rejected by Congress — The House moved yesterday to reject a big proposed cut in Amtrak subsidies that would have led to major cutbacks in rail service. By voice vote during debate on a spending bill funding Amtrak’s budget, the House approved an amendment by Steven LaTourette, Republican of Ohio, to add $626 million for Amtrak, to bring its budget up to the current level of $1.2 billion. (AP)
Does New York need a new airport? — The number of travelers passing through New York’s three major airports each year is racing toward the 100 million mark, leading the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to consider whether it is time for a fourth regional airport, Port Authority officials said yesterday. (The New York Times)
Florida settles with price-gouging hotels — The Airport Inn Sarasota, accused of price gouging during Hurricane Charley last year, has agreed to a settlement agreement that includes restitution. The attorney general’s economic crimes unit investigated the Airport Inn Sarasota, formerly the Ramada Inn. (Biz Journal)
Turkish hacker strikes an Erie chord — Someone has hacked into Erie International Airport’s website three times in the last year, including once this week, officials said. Authorities said users visiting the website Tuesday night or Wednesday morning may have seen a message from someone calling himself or herself the “Turkish Hacker.” Among other things, the message said “Best regards to the world.” (AP)
Australian agent convicted of stealing — A travel company director and her boyfriend stole more than $150,000 of investors’ money to fund a deposit on a house and pay for a birthday party, a court heard yesterday. Melanie Louise Ash, 34, and her defacto Kevin Anthony Gaw, 52, both of Kingsville, have avoided jail terms for breaching directors’ duties. (The Age)
This summer, watch those kneecaps — So you’re over Cleveland at 33,000 feet and you’d really like to look at the inflight magazine, but your knees are jammed against the seatback in front of you so tightly you’re reduced to stealing your neighbor’s copy when she goes to the restroom. Or, you’re trying to use your laptop computer when the passenger in front of you decides to recline his seat at warp speed into your lap, breaking your screen (hopefully just your screen). (ABCNews.com)
Northwest Airlines authorizes strike — A union representing mechanics at Northwest Airlines has authorized a strike vote as the airline attempts to cut annual labor costs by $1.1 billion. The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association said Friday its members at Northwest will be sent ballots and have until 10 a.m. July 19 to cast their votes on whether to authorize a strike, the union said. (AP)
Correspondents: Skip Bowman, Richard Wong, Carrie Charney, Leslie Friedman, John Frenaye, Mary Staley, Stephanus Surjaputra.