Deadline Extended To August 25

With the current furor surrounding airline security measures, perhaps now isn't the best time to conduct an organized strike... at least, that's what flight attendants at beleagured Northwest Airlines are thinking, in voting to postpone their proposed August 15 walkout by 10 days.

"Present security concerns take precedence over all other concerns at this time, including our fight for a fair contract and our preparations for CHAOS," said Association Of Flight Attendants spokeswoman Mollie Reiley.

Flight attendants at the bankrupt carrier have twice voted down proposed contract agreements with Northwest management. Negotiations on a third agreement are slated to continue throughout the extended timeframe... perhaps giving both sides some much-needed time to work out a deal.

The union had originally voted to begin random strikes against Northwest on Tuesday, as part of its CHAOS -- Create Havoc Across Our System -- strategy.

While saying it welcomes continued negotiations, Northwest has also asked the court to block the proposed strike, saying such an organized action would violate the Railway Labor Act... which, in part, prohibits strikes against bankrupt companies.

FMI: www.nwaafa.org