Northwest mechanics go on strike

August 20, 2005 NWA0820

Mechanics at Northwest Airlines walked off the job Friday night, risking the permanent loss of their jobs and throwing the financial future of Northwest into doubt.

The strike is a stark demonstration of how committed Northwest CEO Doug Steenland is to getting $1.1 billion in annual labor savings from Northwest employees, but his willingness to endure a strike also comes with risks for the airline and its customers.

The strike means 4,400 Northwest workers, including about 3,100 in the Twin Cities, are out of a job. Jim Young, chairman of the negotiating committee of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), said his union members were forced into the strike by inferior offers made by company negotiators.

AMFA members "would rather see the carrier go into bankruptcy than give in to the terms that Northwest Airlines has been asking," Young said.

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http://www.startribune.com/stories/1778/5570028.html .


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