Company Watch - Northwest Airlines.

For more global news, data, analysis and features, please go to: http://www.AirGuideOnline.com/professional.htm Sep 25, 2006

Northwest Airlines cabin crew workers, represented by the Assn. of Flight Attendants-CWA, believe NWA was in the wrong when it imposed about $200 million in annual concessions on them even though two tentative concessionary agreements had been voted down. Sep 22, 2006

Northwest Airlines flight attendants, prevented from engaging in work actions by a US federal judge last week, yesterday declared negotiations with management at an "impasse" and asked the National Mediation Board for a release from further mediated talks with the carrier, the first step toward gaining legal authority to strike under US laws governing airline labor relations. Sep 22, 2006

Northwest Airlines has indicated a willingness to reopen talks but union leaders claim the bankrupt airline is not really interested in negotiations. If NMB officially releases the parties from talks, a 30-day cooling-off period would ensue before a strike could commence. AFA-CWA International President Patricia Friend said NWA's imposition of cuts "mocked the integrity of the NMB's role in promoting consensual resolution of labor disputes." Sep 22, 2006

In its filing with DOT, Northwest Airlines declared that its "Detroit hub wins hands down" for the new service, saying it will provide better connections than others, "especially DFW which is absurdly circuitous for large areas of the United States." NWA currently has authority for passenger service to Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou via Tokyo Narita. Spokesperson Dean Breest said more than 70,000 people have signed the carrier's online petition in support of the new service. Sep 21, 2006

Mediation board calls Northwest, union to Washington. The National Mediation Board next week will meet with Northwest Airlines and representatives from its flight attendants union to discuss the status of contract talks. A spokesman for Northwest says the carrier is prepared to negotiate if talks resume. A federal judge recently granted the carrier's request to ban flight attendants from striking. Sep 21, 2006

Northwest Airlines flight attendants yesterday filed an appeal of last week's ruling by US District Judge Victor Marrero that prevents them from striking or engaging in work actions. The Assn. of Flight Attendants is asking for an expedited ruling on the appeal, arguing that NWA's imposition of $195 million in annual concessions despite the flight attendants' rejection of two tentative concessionary agreements gives them the right to strike or engage in disruptive CHAOS work actions. Marrero warned in his ruling that CHAOS could force the bankrupt airline to liquidate and said the courts have an obligation to stop work actions that could seriously disrupt the US air transport system. Sep 19, 2006

Northwest flight attendants appeal strike decision. The union representing Northwest Airlines flight attendants Monday appealed a federal judge's ruling that stops the union from striking. The airline, which operates under bankruptcy protection, has renegotiated contracts with labor groups to lower its costs. Sep 19, 2006

Judge again prevents Northwest flight attendants from striking. US District Judge Victor Marrero issued an injunction Friday that prevents Northwest Airlines flight attendants from striking or engaging in other disruptive work actions, stating that such actions could cripple the bankrupt carrier and unduly damage the US transportation system. In last week's ruling, Judge Marrero said the lower court was in error and that it does indeed have the authority to block airline strikes since US laws recognize "the importance of the nation's interstate transportation system of railroads and airlines" and the damage that could occur if work actions disrupt the system. Sep 18, 2006

Judge blocks strike at Northwest, union will appeal. A federal judge Friday blocked a flight attendants' strike at Northwest Airlines, saying the workers' union has not made every reasonable effort to settle the dispute with the company. The ruling reverses an earlier decision by a bankruptcy court judge. The union says it will appeal the decision.

Sep 18, 2006

Northwest Airlines cabin staff, represented by the Assn. of Flight Attendants-CWA, blasted the decision and accused the court of cozying up to corporate interests at the expense of workers. "Management and the courts can gang up on us but they cannot defeat us," MEC President Mollie Reiley said. AFA-CWA General Counsel David Borer said the union will appeal the ruling, which is "obviously an incorrect reading of the law." Northwest already has reached concessionary agreements with its other unions and said it is willing to reopen talks with flight attendants. Sep 18, 2006

Northwest unit will receive operating certificate: Regulators on Friday will transfer Independence Air's operating certificate to Northwest Airlines subsidiary Compass Airlines. The Department of Transportation agreed that the airline's proposed service meets economic and public interest requirements. Sep 18, 2006