Northwest wants court to bar strike

© Northwest Airlines

Saying that a strike by its flight attendants “would threaten the viability” of its ability to reorganize under Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Northwest Airlines has asked a federal court to block a threatened walkout by the carrier’s flight attendants.

Members of the Association of Flight Attendants said they could strike the embattled airline as soon as August 15 – this after the airline imposed terms of a new contract. Those terms call for slashing pay and benefits, and will save Northwest an estimated $195 million.

When Northwest Airlines filed for Chapter 11 in September 2005, it said it would need $1.4 billion in total labor savings from throughout the company.

A hearing on Northwest’s bid to block a strike is set for August 9.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler