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from airportbusiness.com...

MARTIN J. MOYLAN
ASSOCIATED PRESS

The union representing Northwest Airlines' mechanics and cleaners is seeking a go-ahead from federal mediators to strike the carrier.

On Tuesday, the union asked the National Mediation Board to declare that contract talks with Northwest are deadlocked, setting up the union to strike after a cooling-off period.

It's a major change of heart for the mechanics union. Union leaders last month vigorously opposed a similar request by Northwest Airlines, which the mediation board rejected.

The mechanics union now believes Northwest won't budge from its original contract demands.

"We felt Northwest would be serious and negotiate with us," said Jeff Mathews, contract administrator for the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association. "They have not moved from their original position. That's not how negotiations work."

If the mediation board releases the Eagan-based airline and union from bargaining, that would start a 30-day countdown to a possible strike or lockout.