After talks broke off late Friday, union negotiator Jim Young said the mechanics would rather see the airline go into bankruptcy than agree to Northwest’s terms. The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association represents 4,427 mechanics, cleaners and custodians, about 11 percent of Northwest’s 40,000 employees. (Associated Press 21 Aug)

I think more accurately the Union would rather see the airline go into bankruptcy. The crass statement above by a union negotiator shows that the union does not care a whit for the mechanics, this is purely a power struggle between management and union.