Northwest, pilots agree to one-year contract extension

MINNEAPOLIS - Northwest Airlines tentatively agreed Saturday to extend its pilots&#39; contract one year, putting off further negotiations until industry conditions improve. <br> <br> Five weeks ago, the Air Line Pilots Association asked Northwest for the extension. The contract, which would have expired on Sept. 13, will now run until Sept. 13, 2003. <br> <br> Northwest will give pilots a 4.5 percent pay increase this September and a 5.5 percent increase in September 2003. Both sides also agreed to begin new talks next January. <br> <br> The tentative pact must be approved by the union&#39;s executive council, which meets Tuesday, and ratified by members. The union represents 6,500 pilots. <br> <br> <br> ------ <br> <br> On the Net: <br> <br> Northwest: http://www.nwa.com <br> <br>