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Northwest Airlines Corp. and its baggage handlers resumed talks on Monday, under the threat of a trial next week that could result in the bankrupt carrier rejecting that union contract altogether.
About 5,600 baggage handlers represented by the International Association of Machinists voted down Northwest's proposed 11.5 percent pay cuts and work-rule changes.
Unless they make a deal, a bankruptcy court trial is set to begin May 15 to decide whether Northwest can impose its terms on the baggage handlers and flight simulator operators, who also rejected a contract offer.
Northwest said Monday that it would rather make a deal, "but the airline will take whatever actions are required to ensure that the necessary labor cost reductions are achieved as expeditiously as possible."
The National Mediation Board brought the two sides together for the talks, which were being held in Minneapolis.
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