UPDATE 2-UPS aircraft mechanics vote for strike

http://www.reuters.com/article/marke...rpc=44&sp=true

Tue Sep 15, 2009 10:43am EDT
* 1,400 UPS aircraft mechanics back leadership in talks
* UPS says talks continue and vote just a gesture
* Union has warned holiday season disruptions could occur
* UPS stock virtually unchanged after announcement (Adds comment from Teamsters official, stock action)
CHICAGO, Sept 15 (Reuters) - The 1,400 U.S. mechanics who maintain United Parcel Service Inc's (UPS.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) worldwide fleet of 263 aircraft authorized a strike against the company, union officials said on Tuesday, though contract talks between the company and the workers will continue later this month.
The mechanics, members of Teamsters Local 2727, will not go on strike as a result of the action. The vote expresses their willingness to walk off the job if ongoing negotiations hit an impasse and union leaders call a strike.
Bob Combine, president of Local 2727, told Reuters that 90 percent of the workers who cast ballots in the vote gave the union the walkout authorization.
"I hope this sends a clear message to the company that the membership is behind us," Combine said.
Atlanta-based UPS, the world's largest package delivery company, has described the vote as just a tactic that will not affect talks with the machinists, which began in October 2006 and continue under the supervision of a federal mediator.
The Atlanta-based company points out that more talks are scheduled for late September, a sign the process is far from deadlocked.
Until the talks officially break down, and the union endures at least one cooling-off period, a strike -- even one authorized by members -- would be illegal under the U.S. Railway Labor Act, the Depression-era legislation that governs the company's air unit.
Like its main rival Memphis-based FedEx Corp (FDX.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), UPS is considered a bellwether of U.S. economic activity.
In trade on the New York Stock Exchange, UPS shares were up 2 cents at $59.21. FedEx shares were up 92 cents, or 1.17 percent, at $79.80. (Reporting by James B. Kelleher and Nick Carey, Editing by Dave Zimmerman)