Northwest mechanics seek assurances over maintenance facilities

Airline Industry Information, Oct 7, 2004

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Mechanics at Northwest Airlines are pushing for confirmation of whether the repair facilities due to be demolished at Minneapolis-St Paul airport will be replaced.

The demolition will make way for an USD860m terminal expansion at the airport but the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) said it is worried that the facility will not be replaced, putting 2,000 jobs at risk. The project to expand the airport's terminal buildings has been fast-tracked by the state and the AMFA wants reassurances about jobs.

The union has now appealed to the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) which operates the airport to make the expansion plan's approval contingent on the replacement of hangars and repair facilities that will be demolished to make way for more terminal space. A spokesperson for the MAC said that it would be holding a hearing concerning all the issues surrounding the plan, reports TwinCities.com.

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