MINNEAPOLIS, July 6 (AP) - Mechanics at Northwest Airlines said on Tuesday that they had asked to be released from negotiations after the airline rejected their offer for pay cuts. Release from the talks would start a 30-day clock running toward a strike. þþNorthwest shares sank further, as the chief executive, Douglas M. Steenland, said the airline must get labor concessions by the end of 2005 or face the possibility of a bankruptcy filing. Northwest shares fell 24 cents, to close at $4.19.þþThe mechanics said they had offered $143.5 million in cost savings, but the airline disputed the accuracy of the figure. Northwest said it wanted $176 million worth of concessions. þþTalks between mechanics and the airline ended after just an hour and 45 minutes on Tuesday. A strike vote by mechanics will continue until July 19. The airline has vowed to keep flying if mechanics strike. Before the mechanics made their offer, a labor mediator denied a request from Northwest to be released from the negotiations. þþ
Source: NY Times
