Leaders of Pilots Union Back Pay Cuts

Leaders of the union for Northwest Airlines Corp. pilots have endorsed a temporary contract that would cut their hourly pay rates by 23.9%, a move they say will give them time to negotiate a long-term contract.

The Air Line Pilots Assn. executive committee voted 8 to 2 on Thursday in favor of recommending the pay cut to its members. If approved by union members, the cuts will save Northwest, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September, about $215 million annually.

Northwest pilots will vote on whether to accept the interim contract starting next week.

Northwest wants unions representing pilots, flight attendants and ground workers to accept 60% of the permanent concessions the airline seeks.