Judge again blocks flight attendants from striking against Northwest Airlines

A federal judge threw another lifeline to Northwest Airlines on Friday when he blocked flight attendants from striking anytime soon, citing the "vital role" that airlines play in the U.S. economy.

U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero overruled a bankruptcy court judge's decision to let a strike occur.

He noted that Northwest carries 130,000 passengers a day on 1,200 flights and is the lone carrier for 23 U.S. cities and provides half of all airline service to another 20 cities.

"Congress has gone to extraordinary lengths to legislate its view of the vital role that these carriers play for the economy, national security, movement of goods and people, and general well-being of the United States," Marrero said.

Northwest applauded the decision, and called for talks with representatives of about 7,300 active flight attendants. But the union said it won't negotiate unless it has the right to strike. Later Friday the union said it had appealed to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York. ...

Neil Bernstein, a law professor at Washington University in St. Louis, predicted that even Northwest would not find the ruling a total victory.

"Northwest can look forward to the possibility of a very unhappy work crew, and customers that are not thrilled to pieces," he said.

•	Judge again blocks flight attendants from striking against Northwest Airlines Associated Press, Friday, Sept. 15, 2006 Byline: Larry Neumeister

•	Attendants seek mediation end Chicago Tribune, Friday, Sept. 22, 2006 Byline: Tribune staff, wire reports

	Story also ran in 5 others:  Washington Post, Detroit Free Press, Cincinnati Enquirer, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and AFX