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NWA facing second strike
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September 14, 1998: 2:42 p.m. ET
Pilots strike may be over, but mechanics may walk out soon
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Pilots at Northwest Airlines may have tossed out their picket signs, but airline mechanics may soon be digging them out of the recycling bin.
The International Association of Machinists, which shot down a tentative contract agreement with Northwest in July, have authorized the union to strike if salary and job security demands are not met. The union, which falls under Railway Labor Act, also has asked the National Mediation Board to declare an impasse in negotiations that would begin a 30-day cooling off period toward a strike.
"There's been no change in the status of our talks," said union spokesman Don Mayer. "We've heard no response from the [National Mediation] Board on our request and nothing from the company indicating when talks will resume."
The IAM represents 27,000 employees of Northwest Airlines.
"Our membership has sent a message loud and clear to Northwest Airlines that after 22 months of negotiations the membership is ready, willing, and able to strike this carrier if the tentative agreements cannot be substantially improved," said IAM's Air Transport Division Vice President William L. Scheri. "This is the clear will of our membership backed up by complete solidarity."
Nearly 6,200 Northwest pilots went on strike shortly after midnight on Aug. 29 after management and the Air Line Pilots Association failed to reach agreement on salaries and job security. NWA estimates the strike cost the company $26 million a day.
The nation's fourth largest carrier, which ratified a new four-year labor contract last week, was set to resume flight service Monday.
NWA shares (NWAC) shot up 2-3/10, or nearly 8 percent, to 30-1/16 Monday afternoon on the Nasdaq.
Air Canada and its 2,100 striking pilots reached an agreement in principle late Thursday to end their nine-day strike. The pilots, which struck over salary issues, ratified the labor deal Monday, details of which have not been disclosed.
Air Canada shares (ACNAF) were off 9/32 at 4-19/32, or nearly 6 percent, on the Nasdaq at mid-day Monday. 
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