EAGAN, Minn. (AP) -- The president of the Twin Cities mechanics union at Northwest Airlines has been suspended by the airline for questioning the safety of outsourced aircraft repairs, the union said.
Northwest suspended Ted Ludwig from his job as a mechanic for 60 days without pay, the union he heads, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, said Wednesday.
While refusing to comment on the suspension, Northwest said aircraft safety is never compromised.
Two weeks ago, Northwest warned Ludwig he could lose his job if he continued to suggest that aircraft maintenance performed by third-party repair facilities could pose a danger to passengers.
Shortly after that warning, Ludwig held a news conference and showed pieces of an exploded aircraft brake that he said resulted from outsourced repairs.
Ludwig said he will continue to speak out, though about the industry as a whole and not specifically about Northwest.