In business news, United Airlines has reached a settlement with the federal government that will result in the airline saving $645 million in each of the next five years at the expense of taxpayers. The government is allowing the airline to hand over four under-funded pension plans in what the Wall Street Journal is calling the largest corporate pension default in U.S. history. As a result of the settlement, employees of United will receive smaller pensions that they were once promised. The Association of Flight Attendants described the settlement as QUOTE “morally criminal.” Several of United’s unions have threatened to strike if their pensions end. The Center for American Progress noted on Monday that the federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation agreed to allow the airline to shed $10 billion in pension commitments just as President Bush signed legislations making it harder for citizens to declare bankruptcy.