White House moves to push back possible strike at UAL Corp's United Airlines

President George Bush has established a presidential emergency board to at least delay and possibly avoid, a strike by mechanics at UAL Corp's United Airlines.

Last Friday, the International Association of Machinists, representing about 13,000 mechanics, voted to strike.

"The president is concerned about the economy, particularly after Sept 11, and the effect that airline strikes would have on the economy, on the ability of the public to travel at this time," Fleischer said.

Under federal law, appointment of an emergency board automatically prevents a strike for 60 days. The board will come up with a proposed settlement which will be reviewed by the two sides.

"You can look at this as a cooling off period," he said.