Flight Attendants Sue Northwest

The union representing Northwest Airlines Corp. flight attendants is suing the carrier in U.S. District Court, saying Northwest won’t allow rank-and-file flight attendants to observe contract negotiations.

Professional Flight Attendants Assn. President Guy Meek said the union filed the lawsuit because its constitution guarantees members access to the negotiating process, according to a report in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Northwest, which has lost money for four years, is trying to cut labor costs by $950 million a year. The Eagan, Minn.-based carrier has achieved about one-third of that goal.