On Friday July 29, 2011, 8:17 pm EDT
NEW YORK (Reuters) - US Airways Group filed a lawsuit on Friday against the labor union representing its pilots that asks a federal court to prevent the group from participating in activities the airline claims are affecting its operations.
US Airways is alleging the U.S. Airline Pilots Association is encouraging its members to "engage in an illegal slowdown in order to put pressure on US Airways" as the two camps attempt to hash out a new contract, according to the court filing.
"This is not a step we take lightly, but we simply can no longer allow the labor union's illegal and misguided actions to harm US Airways, our employees and our customers," wrote US Airways Chief Executive Doug Parker in a note to employees obtained by Reuters.
A call placed to the U.S. Airline Pilots Association was not immediately returned.
US Airways and the union have been engaged in contract negotiations for several years stemming from the 2005 merger of America West Holdings Corp and US Airways.
The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Charlotte, N.C.
(Reporting by Jennifer Saba; Editing by Gary Hill)