Other unions seeking raises for skills have agreed to take the cases to binding arbitration.

The union raised the issue with members over the summer, and chose to keep visors optional for now.

But the union, more concerned with immediate issues like pay, has never raised the issue in contract negotiations.

Pan Am's unions, which already own 7 percent of the airline, would significantly raise their stake under the plan.

In fact, the union had raised the issue, unsuccessfully.

The union put up $5,000 for consulting fees and raised another $5,000 from the community.

In the fall, the city agreed to contracts that give its major unions raises of about 5 percent this year.

Last year the union raised over £9,000 for local and international charities.

Like many other workers here, he began preparing for a strike in February, when the union first raised the possibility of a showdown.

But the union raised a variety of safety questions.