Striking Northwest Airlines workers vowed to continue their walkout, despite management's pledge that it will start permanently replacing them on Tuesday.

"The evidence shows that the company's operation continues to deteriorate on a daily basis," the Negotiating Committee for the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association said in a written statement to members. "Your work on the picket lines and strike actions are working.

"It is imperative that you do not cross your picket lines," union leaders added. "The company is starting their concerted effort to convince you to cross. This is the only way they will continue to be able to run the airline."

Northwest management said the airline has been operating normally with temporary replacement workers. Because union leadership rejected an offer from the company over the weekend, the airline on Tuesday will start hiring permanent replacements for the mechanics, cleaners and custodians represented by AMFA, management said.

In the statement to members, AMFA negotiator Jeff Mathews and members of the Negotiating Committee said they were ready to accept concessions that exceeded those that the company demanded when the strike began Aug. 19. The company's offer, extended in bargaining over the weekend through the National Mediation Board, called for eliminating 3,181 positions and providing 16 weeks of severance pay to those who would lose their jobs.

"We reached the company's target" in job cuts, but wanted 20 weeks of severance pay for those laidoff, the AMFA Negotiating Committee said. When the company balked, the union walked out of the talks early Sunday.

No new talks are scheduled.

For more information
See the Workday Minnesota special section, NWA strike
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