Release #06.NWA2
January 23, 2006

Northwest Airlines Pilots to Picket in Memphis and Detroit

NEW YORK – Northwest Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association Int'l (ALPA), will demonstrate their frustration with management’s attempt to use the bankruptcy process to abrogate the pilots’ contract by conducting informational picketing and leafleting this week at the MEM and DTW airports.

NWA pilots will picket and leaflet from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (CT) Monday, Jan. 23 at the Memphis International Airport – B Terminal Upper/Outer Drive, and from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (ET) Tuesday, Jan. 24 at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport – Ticket/Departure Level of the Main Terminal.

The hearing on NWA’s 1113(c) request to reject its labor contracts continues this week in New York, during which time ALPA will present its case to Judge Alan Gropper. While ALPA’s counsel will explain its objection to NWA’s attempt to reject the pilot’s contract in court, NWA pilots will picket at airports to inform the public about management’s intractable and excessive demands.

“Northwest pilots have already taken unprecedented concessions, including a 39% pay cut, to save Northwest Airlines,” NWA ALPA Chairman Capt. Mark McClain said. “While we continue to negotiate in an effort to reach a consensual agreement, there are definite limits to what Northwest pilots can and will do.”

Over the past year, NWA pilots have made tremendous sacrifices in an attempt to help NWA survive its financial problems. In December 2004, Northwest pilots agreed to an annual concessionary package valued at $265 million a year that included a 15% pay cut. In November 2005, Northwest pilots agreed to another concessionary package, for an interim period, valued at $215 million including an additional 23.9% pay cut.

Despite the Northwest pilots’ sacrifices, management continues to make excessive and unreasonable demands, both in court and in negotiations, as exemplified by its testimony and public statements during the 1113(c) hearing that began Jan. 17, 2006.

Founded in 1931, ALPA represents 62,000 pilots at 39 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. At NWA, ALPA represents approximately 5,000 active pilots and 700 furloughed pilots. Visit the ALPA website at http://www.alpa.org and the NWA ALPA website at http://www.nwaalpa.org.

# # #

ALPA CONTACT: Will Holman, 612-840-7749