The action was organized on short notice by co-workers of Klingeman and built primarily by word of mouth.

Klingeman, a Teamsters union member with 22 years at the company, was fired for what a company spokesperson said were "inconsistencies" in her explanation related to calling off sick on New Year's Eve, even though she has a doctors note verifying that she went to the emergency room.

Klingeman had participated in the fight for a contract, including handing out literature and honoring a union request for members to refuse optional, extra-duty flying assignments.

Teamsters Local 2000 represents the Northwest flight attendants and is fighting the firing through arbitration.

"What is the message Northwest is sending us?" said Andrew Collis, a Minneapolis-based flight attendant. "If it can happen to her it can happen to anyone. It is an attack against all of us."

The company filed a lawsuit against Local 2000 claiming it organized a sickout New Year's Eve as part of the effort to get a contract. The union strongly denies it. The suit is pending while negotiations for a new contract continue.

"The company is trying to intimidate us," said another flight attendant. "But it isn't working. We are not afraid, we are angry."

At a brief rally of 40 people before the picket line, flight attendant Shelly Worley announced plans for ongoing actions, including giving out flyers to the travelling public.

She said that the picket line was not organized or sanctioned by the union. Five members of the International Association of Machinists and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association at Northwest Airlines participated in the protest.  
 
 
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