Northwest Airlines workers represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association went on strike early Saturday morning, as the union and the carrier weren't able to reach a labor agreement both sides could accept.
The nation's fourth-largest airline said in a statement on its Web site that it plans to operate a normal schedule despite the failure to reach a pact with the union, which represents more than 4,000 mechanics, cleaners and custodians.
"Northwest wanted a strike, and now they have one," said O.V. Delle-Femine, AMFA's national director. "We apologize in advance to the flying public for the inconvenience and disruption the strike will cause. This will be difficult for our members and their families too, but Northwest left us no choice."
Just after midnight EDT, a 30-day cooling-off period mandated by federal labor law expired, allowing the mechanics to strike and giving the airline the option to put replacement mechanics on the job.
"During the past 18 months, Northwest developed a comprehensive contingency plan that includes expanded vendor relationships to ensure that the airline continues to operate normally," Doug Steenland, the company's president and chief executive, said in a press release. "Northwest has experienced, licensed and trained mechanics in place to service all NWA aircraft."
Even as the deadline for the workers and Northwest to find common ground drew closer, a strike was appearing more and more likely. In the past, AMFA has said the airline didn't want to budge from its proposal to lay off 53% of the mechanics and cut the pay of those who remained by about one-quarter.
Northwest has said it needs concessions totaling $176 million a year from the mechanics as part of a bid to lower its annual labor costs by $1.1 billion. The company said the cost reductions are required if it's to stay out of bankruptcy.
The nation's fourth-largest airline said in a statement on its Web site that it plans to operate a normal schedule despite the failure to reach a pact with the union, which represents more than 4,000 mechanics, cleaners and custodians.
"Northwest wanted a strike, and now they have one," said O.V. Delle-Femine, AMFA's national director. "We apologize in advance to the flying public for the inconvenience and disruption the strike will cause. This will be difficult for our members and their families too, but Northwest left us no choice."
Just after midnight EDT, a 30-day cooling-off period mandated by federal labor law expired, allowing the mechanics to strike and giving the airline the option to put replacement mechanics on the job.
"During the past 18 months, Northwest developed a comprehensive contingency plan that includes expanded vendor relationships to ensure that the airline continues to operate normally," Doug Steenland, the company's president and chief executive, said in a press release. "Northwest has experienced, licensed and trained mechanics in place to service all NWA aircraft."
Even as the deadline for the workers and Northwest to find common ground drew closer, a strike was appearing more and more likely. In the past, AMFA has said the airline didn't want to budge from its proposal to lay off 53% of the mechanics and cut the pay of those who remained by about one-quarter.
Northwest has said it needs concessions totaling $176 million a year from the mechanics as part of a bid to lower its annual labor costs by $1.1 billion. The company said the cost reductions are required if it's to stay out of bankruptcy.
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