1.   The Machinists Union is believed to have threatened a suit against compulsory overtime at Northwest Airlines, but reached a deal out of court.

2.   The union members, especially customer service representatives, had also sought relief from job stress resulting from long periods of work with few breaks and frequent compulsory overtime.

3.   Union officials have said the biggest obstacles to a pact are pension and other retirement benefits, compulsory overtime and the use of non-company workers.

4.   Would consider limiting compulsory overtime work.