Northwest and striking mechanics to resume talks

Airline Industry Information, Sept 8, 2005

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Northwest Airlines Corp and its mechanics, currently on strike, were set to resume talks today (8 September).

The airline is reportedly demanding steeper pay cuts from the mechanics than those that prompted the strike in the first place. The negotiations will resume after the airline said it will start hiring permanent replacements by 13 September unless the parties have reached an agreement. Northwest also wrote in a letter to the union that its last best offer, made on 18 August, is one it can no longer afford to make.

In the letter the airline also said that striking mechanics have a legal right to return to any positions for which they are qualified, even if those are occupied by temporary replacement staff. However, cleaning and custodial work as well as maintenance at spoke airports are functions that have been "permanently transferred to more efficient third party vendors", The Associated Press quoted the letter as saying.

The mechanics, cleaners and custodians launched the strike on 20 August after demands from the airline for 25% pay cuts and lay-offs of about 2,000 employees.

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