Unions representing Northwest Airlines workers said they are prepared to contest the carrier's motion in Bankruptcy Court to abrogate all its union contracts.

At the same time, the unions said they plan to continue negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable settlement, which would prevent the court from acting. In separate negotiations next week, management is scheduled to present its business plan to the unions.

Northwest's motion, filed Wednesday in a New York Bankruptcy Court, is the latest move to put pressure on the airline's 40,000 employees since filing for bankruptcy protection Sept. 14. The airline claims it has been losing nearly $4 million a day this year. It said its losses will hit $8 million a day in the slower fall and winter travel seasons.

All bargaining units at Northwest, including ground workers represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the Professional Flight Attendants Association and the Air Line Pilots Association are affected by the Section 1113(c) motion to allow the rejection of labor contracts.

Only the mechanics, cleaners and custodians represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association are not affected because they are on strike and the airline has already imposed its terms.

"The IAM expected and is prepared to contest Northwest's Section 1113(c) motion . . . " said Bobby DePace, president and directing general chair of IAMAW Air Transport District 143, in a statement posted on the union's website.

"The Machinists Union, our attorneys and financial professionals are prepared for an 1113(c) trial, but direct negotiations with Northwest will also continue. It is in the best interest of everyone to make a concerted effort to reach an agreement at the bargaining table.

"Although the IAM is prepared to defend our members' agreements in court, we hope Northwest is as committed, as we are, to reach a fair and equitable agreement that can be presented to the membership for ratification."

"We've certainly been expecting this since Northwest Airlines entered bankruptcy protection last month," said Guy Meek, president of the Professional Flight Attendants Association. "1113(c) filings are a normal part of the bankruptcy reorganization process. Both US Airways and United Airlines filed 1113 motions in bankruptcy and went on to achieve consensual agreements with its unions."

"ALPA believes it would be preferable for NWA to reach consensual agreements with its labor groups rather than using the 1113 process to impose new terms of employment," the Pilots Association said in a statement on its website.

Meanwhile, representatives of AMFA and the airline announced they would meet Thursday afternoon in Minneapolis.

"The purpose of this meeting is to discuss where the parties stand on open issues related to the current strike, and if these open issues can be resolved," AMFA Local 33 said.

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