CHICAGO, Feb 23 (Reuters) - The union representing pilots at bankrupt
Northwest Airlines (NWACQ.PK: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Thursday that it
had made progress on key issues in labor talks but remains in conflict on
others as a court-imposed deadline looms.
Negotiators are racing to reach a deal before Friday when a federal judge is
expected to decide whether to allow the airline to void the contracts it
has with employee groups that have not made concessions the airline says it
needs to survive.
Members of the Air Line Pilots Association are voting on whether to allow
union leaders to call a strike if their contract is terminated without a new
one in place.
"There has been progress made in some areas," said ALPA spokesman Will
Holman. "We still unfortunately remain far apart on many other issues including
equity, sick leave and retirement benefits."
The No. 4 U.S. airline, which filed for bankruptcy protection in September,
has said it needs $1.4 billion in union give-backs to survive in an industry
battered by soaring fuel costs and low-fare competition.
An airline spokesman did not immediately return phone calls seeking
comment.
Holman said ALPA and Northwest had reached a possible agreement on the
structure of a regional carrier with a fleet of small aircraft the company wants
to start.
Pilots had objected to Northwest's proposal, saying it encroaches on the jobs
of Northwest pilots, who have the right under their contract to fly all
aircraft with 70 seats or more.
The carrier, which is still in talks with its flight attendants, has a
tentative labor deal with its 14,000 ground workers. That deal needs membership
approval. Northwest also has temporary deals in place with its pilots,
flight attendants and ground workers.