Northwest Airlines workers and their supporters put the spotlight on the carrier's hiring of replacement workers ? "scabs" ? during a demonstration Tuesday near the University of Minnesota.

Led by AFSCME locals representing many university workers, participants picketed the Radisson Metrodome hotel ? where the airline is housing some of the mechanics who have replaced members of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association since the strike began Aug. 19.

"Scabs go home!" and "Northwest Airlines doesn't play fair!" the protesters chanted as they marched back and forth in front of the hotel in the Stadium Village neighborhood adjacent to the university campus.

Debbie Kangas and Sharon Binek, health care workers at the university, carried a large banner for their union, AFSCME Local 3260.

"It's solidarity between all unions," said Kangas. "We feel it's important to support each other."

"We're all going to need help," said Binek, who noted that Local 3260 is in the middle of its own contract negotiations with the university.

AFSCME members at the University of Minnesota led a demonstration outside the Radisson hotel where Northwest Airlines is housing scab mechanics.

Northwest is using some 1,200 replacement workers, including a large number of licensed mechanics laid off by other airlines, to replace the AMFA strikers. In an interview with the New York Times, Northwest's Chief Executive Doug Steenland revealed the company is following "a new business model" to outsource as many aircraft repair jobs as possible.

The New York Times, in an Aug. 22 article, also revealed that the airline spent 18 months preparing for a walkout and training replacements for its mechanics. The airline enlisted the Bush administration in its plan, assuring the president that he would not need to convene a Presidential Emergency Board in the event of a strike, the Times reported.

A Presidential Emergency Board could order workers back to their jobs and force a resolution of the contract.