MINNEAPOLIS, July 19 (AP) - Mechanics at Northwest Airlines voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to authorize a strike, a day after the airline, which is struggling to cut costs, declined arbitration.þþWhether the mechanics will walk off the job depends on the next move by the National Mediation Board, which must first release the two sides from talks. The union and the airline have requested the move.þþO. V. Delle-Femine, national director of the union, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, said he expected the release soon. It would begin a 30-day cooling-off period. After that, the mechanics could strike.þþNorthwest said it still hoped to reach an agreement but was prepared to fly a full schedule if there was a strike.þþ
Source: NY Times
