March 9, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD

RE: Emergency Board Created to Investigate Dispute Between Northwest Airlines and AMFA

President Bush today created an emergency board to investigate collective bargaining disputes between Northwest Airlines, Inc. and its employees represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA). The emergency board is effective March 12, 2001. The President appointed Helen M. Witt of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as Chairman, and Richard R. Kasher, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and Robert O. Harris of Washington, D.C. as members. All three are neutral labor arbitrators and members of the National Academy of Arbitrators. The National Academy of Arbitrators is a professional association which fosters high standards of integrity and competence and includes as members the premier labor relations neutrals in the country.

Ms. Witt has served on prior presidential emergency boards, most recently in the dispute between American Airlines and the Allied Pilots Association. She is a former chairman and member of the National Mediation Board. She serves as the permanent arbitrator on nine panels serving both the private and public sectors. Ms. Witt is the neutral chairman of the American Bar Association's Subcommittee on Development and Training of Arbitrators.

Mr. Harris has been a member and chairman of prior presidential emergency boards. He is a former chairman and board member of the National Mediation Board. Mr. Harris has also been an adjunct law professor at the Washington College of Law and a Consultant to the government of Bermuda. Besides his membership in the National Academy of Arbitrators, Mr. Harris is a member of the American Arbitration Association and the Society for Professionals in Dispute Resolution.

Mr. Kasher has served as chairman or member of nine prior presidential emergency boards. Mr. Kasher serves as a permanent arbitrator for approximately fifteen employers/industries and unions in both the private and public sectors. Mr. Kasher serves as the only neutral member of the Health and Welfare Fund established by the nation's railroads and eleven unions. Mr. Kasher was formerly General Counsel of the National Mediation Board.

Pursuant to the Railway Labor Act, the emergency board will conduct hearings and make a recommendation for settlement within 30 days of the President's creation of the board. No work stoppages are permissible during this 30 day period, nor during the 30 days following the board's recommendations.