University Daily Kansan, October 6, 1983
Page 7
Settlement sought in five-day strike Continental and union negotiators talk
By United Press International
HOUSTON — For the first time in the five-day-old strike by airline pilots and flight attendants unions, negotiators for Continental Airlines and the pilots union met yesterday to explore the possibility of a settlement.
Meanwhile, the leader of the nation's biggest pilots union asked Congress to take emergency action to keep Continental Airlines' bankruptcy filing from sparking a "wave of corporate lawlessness."
"Congress must act immediately to prevent misuse of the bankruptcy laws," Henry Duffy, president of the Bankruptcy Board, told a House labor subcommittee.
HE APPEALED FOR emergency action to "prevent the total collapse" of labor-management relations in the United States, saying of the Confrontation bankruptcy, "This could spark a wave of corporate lawlessness."
Duffy, whose organization represents 34,000 pilots employed by 45
airlines, said Continental had asked for bankruptcy protection last month so it could do away with its labor agreements.
A Continental spokesman said AVA had not made a formal proposal.
"We've asked them for such a proposal going all the way back to Aug. 31 and have not received one," spokesman Bruce Hicks said.
"The Continental pilots have stood ready, based on the original agreement reached in good faith with the company, to reach an agreement whereby the pilots could go back to work." Graves said.
Another session was scheduled for 9 a.m. today. The Union of Flight Attendants was not participating because of the difficulty of negotiating with two unions simultaneously, an union spokeswoman said.
THE COMPANY FILED for bankruptcy reorganization Sept. 24, laid off 12,000 workers and on Sept. 29, paid the workers on lay off and longer hours, and began flying a
fourth of its old schedule. The unions rebelled and struck Saturday.
Roberto and Steven Continental said it was extending its $75 one-way fare on any domestic flight through Oct. 22, but it is delaying its 10-flight schedule expansion planned for today.
Graves said that the move showed the company was hurting and had to patch its schedule daily. Neither the union nor the companies figures delayed or canceled.
Hicks said that although Continental needs more pilots than the estimated 350 that had been crossing picket lines, it was following an overall plan aimed at normalizing operations and restoring financial strength.
"We're operating in the 90 percent range," Hicks said. "We want to get that to 100 percent. We are taking four weeks, so we can ensure schedule reliability."
THE COMPANY SAID that it had filed for bankruptcy reorganization because the pilots and flight attendants did not pay cuts and workload increases.
The strikers said that the company was using the bankruptcy laws to break the unions. They also contended that the company's new work rules were unsafe because pilots allegedly were overworked.
The company, backed by Federal Aviation Administration monitors, said conditions were safe.
State District Judge Davie Wilson's scheduled hearing yesterday to consider extending his order barring strikers from harassing the company canceled after the unions exercises, to remove the case to federal court.
No hearing was scheduled immediately because U.S. District Judge Ross Sterling, to whom the case was assigned, was not available.
CONTINENTAL, AFTER SUSPENDING operations for three days, resumed a sharply reduced flight schedule. The Texas-based airline abrogated its union contracts, reduced wages and benefits by up to 50 percent and established emergency work rules.
Study Skills Workshop (Emphasis on preparing for exams.)
Thursday, October 6
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
300 Strong Hall
Presented by the Student Assistance Center
Half price for KU Students
A Special Event presented by The University of Kansas School of Fine Arts Concert Series Office in cooperation with the Center for East Asian Studies.
8:00 p.m. Friday, October 7, 1983
SWarshout retractal Hall, Murphy Hall
Tickets on sale in the Murphy Hall Box Office
All seating is general admission
Public$5; KU Students with ID*: $2.50;
Senior Citizens and Other Students: $4
For reservations, call 913/864-3982
*KU Students must show ID at time of purchase and at the door the night of performance
Partially funded by the KU Student Activity Fee and the Center for East Asian Studies.
Sheer Specks and Lace
Fall Collection of Colors
$3.00-$4.50
Spinning car hits four others, leads to arrest of two students
By the Kansan Staff
A KU student celebrated his 20th birthday yesterday in the Douglas County Jail after the car he and two other KU students had been riding in spun into four parked cars near 12th Street and an estimated $12,000 damage.
The 20-year-old student, a passenger in the car, was arrested on charges of failure to report an accident and obstruction of justice.
The driver, also 20 years old, was arrested on charges of driving while under the influence, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report an accident and obstruction of justice.
THE TWO STUDENTS were released from custody on $1,000 bond after spending nearly two hours in jail
yesterday morning. They will have a hearing at 4 p.m. Monday in Douglas County District Court.
The third student in the car was not arrested.
The driver told police that he did not know how fast he was driving.
The driver of the car told police that he was driving west on 12th Street shortly after midnight when he tried to make a right turn on Indiana Street. He said that the back of the car swerped, and he overcorrected when he tried to regain control. The car then struck the parked cars.
The three students were apprehended near Oliver Hall shortly after the incident.
One of the passengers in the car told police that, after the accident, the car was driven south on Indiana Street to a parking lot to a parking lot at Memorial Stadium.
THE KU GERMAN CLUB PRESENTS THE 1983
Oktoberfest
7 p.m. Fri., Oct. 7 HOOVER'S BARN
Tickets and directions available from the German Dept. 2080 Wescoe
Advance Tickets: German Club Members $3, Non-members $4
All tickets purchased at the door $5
TIN PAN ALLEY
Beautiful Long Stemmed Roses 15.00 per dozen "Cash & Carry" $17.00 Delivered
ROSES Long Stemmed Roses
ROSES
ROSES $15.00 per dozer
ROSES
ROSES
ROSES
749-2912
SOUTHERN HILLS
Floral & Gift
1601 W. 23rd Southern Hills Center 'Next to Gammons'
Rent it.Call the Kansan.
SIDEWALK
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
UP TO 60%off
SALE
October 7 & 8
14th & Mass.
Six specialty shops offering quality, service and selection for the discriminating shopper.