The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has agreed to present Northwest Airline's contract settlement proposal for ratification to the bankrupt airline's 14,000 IAM-represented workers. The understanding between the IAM and Northwest to vote the company's proposal is subject to finalization of some details and a review of the proposal's language. The bankruptcy court's proceedings designed to reject labor contracts for IAM members, flight attendants and pilots is expected to begin on Tuesday, Jan. 17, but the IAM and Northwest plan to ask the bankruptcy court judge to postpone IAM's portion of the evaluation until the ratification results are known.
