Getting your player ready...
Detroit – A potential showdown is looming between Northwest Airlines and two of its labor unions that could leave fliers out in the cold if pilots or flight attendants walk off the job and shut down the airline.
A bankruptcy judge is expected to rule by Friday on whether Northwest can impose more than $500 million in wage and benefit concessions. If the judge rules for the airline, both unions have threatened to strike.
Many analysts expect an 11th-hour settlement.
But all eyes in the struggling airline industry are closely watching, particularly with respect to the pilots. If Northwest succeeds in cutting pilot pay and benefits while eliminating some job protections, other carriers likely would want to pursue similar changes.
