AFA-CWA Helps Scuttle Windfall for Northwest Lawyers

AFA-CWA members at Northwest Airlines were instrumental in blocking payment of $4.2 million in "end-of-case bonuses" for the airline's bankruptcy lawyers and they have a suggestion for how the spare cash can be used:  "Since (the airline) will not have to pay these ridiculous bonuses, we think it is far better spent on returning some of the pay and workrules the Northwest flight attendants have sacrificed," said the union's Northwest Master Executive Council President Kevin Griffen. 

The bankruptcy judge in the case agreed with AFA-CWA's contention that the law firms have already been well compensated with tens of millions of dollars in fees.  The U.S. Trustee and a creditor joined with the union in filing objections to the bonuses.