NWAC Northwest Airlines (MM)

Robert Brodin to Retire; Julie Hagen Showers to Head Northwest Airlines Labor Relations Mike Becker Named SVP of Human Resources and Labor Relations EAGAN, Minn., May 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Northwest Airlines (NASDAQ:NWAC) today announced that Robert A. Brodin, senior vice president of labor relations, has advised the company that he intends to retire at the end of this month. The labor relations function will now report to Mike Becker, who has been named senior vice president of human resources and labor relations. Julie Hagen Showers, vice president of labor relations, will now assume leadership for labor relations. Doug Steenland, president and chief executive officer, said, "Bob Brodin has been a key member of the Northwest management team for 23 years. Under his leadership, Northwest has fostered a more open dialogue with its labor unions. Bob was instrumental in the development of the Labor Advisory Council, a group of union leaders who meet with Northwest leaders on a regular basis to discuss the critical business issues affecting the airline. We thank Bob for his many years of dedicated service to Northwest and wish him well in retirement." Commenting on Mike Becker, Steenland said, "Mike Becker has clearly demonstrated his ability to accept additional executive responsibilities. Because of the continuing need to speak candidly with all employees about the realities of our changing business, it makes logical sense for Northwest to combine the employee-focused functions of labor relations and human resources under Mike's leadership." Becker will continue to report to Steenland. Steenland added, "Julie Showers' 13 years of labor relations experience at Northwest has prepared her well for her new leadership assignment. Northwest is in negotiations with its unions on labor cost restructuring agreements that are vital to the long-term success of the airline. We know that Julie and her team will continue to foster a frank and constructive dialogue with our labor leaders." Becker was named senior vice president of human resources in August 2001. During his 12 years at Northwest, he also has held positions as vice president - international and managing director of corporate human resources. Prior to joining Northwest, Becker served for six years in various human resources, compensation and planning positions with The Dow Chemical Company. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from St. John's University and a master's degree in human resources and industrial relations from the University of Minnesota. Prior to being named vice president of labor relations, Showers was vice president of labor relations-flight. She joined Northwest Airlines in 1992 as labor counsel. From 1988 until 1992, Showers practiced law with Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi. She earned a bachelor's degree from Stanford University, and received her law degree cum laude from the University of Minnesota. Northwest Airlines is the world's fourth largest airline with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam, and approximately 1,600 daily departures. Northwest is a member of SkyTeam, an airline alliance that offers customers one of the world's most extensive global networks. Northwest and its travel partners serve more than 900 cities in excess of 160 countries on six continents. DATASOURCE: Northwest Airlines CONTACT: Northwest Media Relations, +1-612-726-2331 Web site: http://www.nwa.com/

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