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Northwest Airlines mechanics have been on strike since August 19, 2006. They voted overwhelmingly to walk off the job rather than accept concessions that would have eliminated about half of their jobs and significantly cut the salaries of those left on the payroll. Northwest moved on by outsourcing most of those jobs, and filling the rest with replacement workers and strikers who crossed the picket line. A judge ruled in September 2005 that the mechanics are ineligible for the programs as long as they remain voluntarily on strike. A bill before the Legislature would give them eligibility.

It was never given a hearing in the House, however, where members of the Republican majority suggested if the strikers would end their strike, they would be eligible for unemployment.