By Jesse Russell

Mechanics at Northwest Airlines, on strike since August, are being encouraged by their union to reject a new contract proposal from the airline. The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association has called the new proposal “the worst contract in the history of airline labor.” The new agreement allows employees who are currently listed with the airline in a “on strike” status to transfer to a “off payroll, on layoff” status. That status will give the employees access to four weeks layoff pay. Members will be voting between now and December 30.