US Airways flight attendants vote to authorise strike

(REUTERS) - Flight attendants at US Airways Group Inc, looking to bring more pressure on the carrier to reach a contract agreement, voted by a 94 per cent margin to authorise a strike, their union said on Tuesday.

The workers, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, twice this year voted down a proposed contract with US Airways, which is in talks with bankrupt American Airlines parent AMR Corp about a potential merger.

The union's negotiating committee said it would take its proposal for better economic terms, backed up by the strike vote authorisation, to the United States (US) National Mediation Board and press for additional mediation sessions in hopes of reaching a joint contract that workers would ratify.

Federal law makes it difficult for airline unions to strike.