Machinists union anticipates layoffs

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) -- The International Association of Machinists says the decision by Northwest Airlines to stop carrying mail on its domestic flights is expected to result in 100 to 200 layoffs.
"We don't know how many, but there will be some members affected," said John Massetti, secretary-treasurer of IAM District 143. "We have been meeting and talking with Northwest about how this will impact them."
A Northwest spokesman said he did not know how many jobs would be affected by the change. The airline said last week that it was dropping domestic mail as cargo because it was no longer worthwhile financially since the U.S. Postal Service reduced rates on June 28. The airline also cited a sharp decline in the volume of domestic mail it was carrying.