Release 04.NWA3
October 16, 2004

NWA Pilots’ Elected Reps Endorse Tentative Agreement

HOLLYWOOD, FLA. --- The elected pilot representatives for Northwest Airlines, as represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), voted unanimously today to endorse and send out a two-year tentative agreement for membership ratification. The NWA Master Executive Council (MEC) voted 10-0 in favor of the tentative agreement during the third day of the union’s Third Quarter meeting in Hollywood, Fla.

The two-year tentative agreement generates $300 million in annual cost savings and revenue enhancements from NWA pilots, management and salaried employees. NWA pilots would contribute $265 million annually through wage, benefit and other contract changes.

"We believe this agreement is in the best interest of Northwest pilots and our company," MEC Chairman Capt. Mark McClain said. "Although labor costs have not caused the problems in our company and industry, we recognize that labor can be part of the solution to help our company clear financial challenges caused by Northwest’s reduced revenues and high fuel costs. Ultimately for Northwest’s long-term success, all stakeholders including all other Northwest employees will need to participate."

No additional details of the tentative agreement will be released until ALPA has had an opportunity during the next few weeks to thoroughly inform the pilot group about the tentative agreement through informational road shows, mailings and web-based presentations. The membership ratification vote is expected to begin Oct. 25 and conclude Nov. 5.

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world's oldest and largest pilot union and represents 64,000 airline pilots at 42 airlines in the U.S. and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at http://www.alpa.org.

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SOURCE: Air Line Pilots Association
ALPA CONTACT: Will Holman, (612) 840-7749