By Jesse Russell

Striking mechanics Northwest Airline mechanics get some good news. Jesse Russell reports:

Last year a Minnesota unemployment law judge ruled that Northwest mechanics, represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, were ineligible to receive unemployment benefits. Those workers received some positive news on Tuesday when a Minnesota appeals court judge said the ruling was wrong and that the 25-percent pay cuts imposed on the workers by the airline was a lockout. The union still considers itself on strike, even though Northwest has kept the airline flying with replacement workers. Many of the 1600 workers who have not taken part or full-time jobs will receive more than $13,000 in benefits.