^ Mechanics strike but Northwest Air aloft

Reuters

Updated: 3:04 p.m. ET Aug. 20, 2005
By Kyle Peterson

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Mechanics and other maintenance workers at Northwest Airlines <NWAC.O> walked off the job on Saturday after labor talks failed to produce a deal to help the carrier cut costs and avert possible bankruptcy.

Northwest Airlines, which flies some 177,000 passengers daily and is particularly strong in the Midwest, said it has continued operations by replacing about 4,400 striking employees with 1,500 temporary workers and outside vendors.

The striking Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) said the first U.S. airline strike since 2001 would cause delays eventually, but Northwest reported no strike-related disruptions.

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