As the strike by Northwest Airlines’ mechanics enters its second full week, there has been no noticeable change in the positions of either party. The mechanics continue their picketing, Northwest says its planes run on or close to schedule with no major problems. Benno Groenveld has more from St. Paul:

[Benno]:
Other unions at Northwest continue to ignore the mechanics’ picket lines. But at least one flight attendant has refused to cross the lines and was fired for her action.

Northwest Airlines meanwhile is demanding concessions from its other unions. Negotiations with the flight attendants about their contract start up again tomorrow with the airline looking for savings of one
hundred forty three million dollars.

The pilots, who in December agreed to a fifteen percent pay cut are being asked for another 22 point three percent cut AND the layoff of more than 11 hundred pilots, or about 20 percent of their numbers.

I’m Benno Groeneveld in St. Paul.