United mechanics reject contract offer

Maintenance workers at United Airlines have overwhelmingly rejected a new contract offer, their union said, adding it will seek approval from US regulators to strike. More than 93% of mechanics who voted decided against the company's offer, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters said. The union said it will petition the US National Mediation Board to release it from mediated talks, although it will face a number of hurdles before workers can receive the legal go-ahead for a walkout. The vote marks a setback in United's years-long effort to reach a joint deal with the technicians. It has yet to conclude a contract covering maintenance workers from both United and Continental since the carriers merged in 2010. <br/>