Six weeks after it began, the biggest and costliest strike in U.S. airline history ended last week with a labor triumph. The 35,400 striking members of the International Association of Machinists not only slapped down Lyndon Johnson's personal efforts at peacemaking, but won a settlement so lavish as to threaten the whole economy with a major round of wage-price inflation.
Somewhat grudgingly, the strikers voted at week's end to accept an 18% raise in pay and benefits over three years and to return to work at five airlines that normally carry 60% of...
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