US Airways Group Inc. (LCC) asked a federal court to temporarily block its pilots union and individual pilots from taking part in or encouraging an alleged work slowdown.

US Airways, which sued the US Airline Pilots Association last month, said in papers filed today in federal court in Charlotte, North Carolina, that it will suffer immediate harm unless the court issues the temporary restraining order.

The current situation is untenable for US Airways, the traveling public, and the pilots who refuse to accede to the threats and intimidation of those who allegedly support the job action, the airline said in the court filing.

The airline, based in Tempe, Arizona, sued its pilots union on July 29, claiming it was engaged in a work slowdown that violated federal labor law.

Approximately 11,750 members of the travelling public have had their flights canceled during the last 10 days, according to a US Airways brief submitted today in support of its requested court order.

James Ray, a spokesman for the US Airline Pilots Association in Charlotte, didn't immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

Airline labor relations are governed by the Railway Labor Act, which makes it illegal for unions to strike or stage work slowdowns or sickouts unless they have been released from contract talks by the National Mediation Board. Work slowdowns have resulted in court orders prohibiting employees from taking part in such actions and in fines against unions.

Seniority List

US Airways has been unable to negotiate a single contract covering its pilots since the 2005 merger of America West Holdings Corp. and US Airways because of disagreements over how the pilots from the carriers should be placed on a merged seniority list.

Michael Cleary, president of the pilots' union, has encouraged the work slowdown since the suit was filed last month, the airline said.

Pilots who flew for the stand-alone US Airways are concentrated in the eastern U.S., while former America West pilots operate primarily in the western U.S. The two pilot groups continue to operate under separate contracts with different pay rates and work and scheduling rules.

A hearing on the request for a restraining order is scheduled for Aug. 12, according to court records.

The case is US Airways v. US Airline Pilots Association, 11-00371, U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina (Charlotte).