31.   Northwest has said repeatedly since talks were recessed that it would return to the bargaining table when summoned by the mediation board.

32.   Northwest spokesman Jon Austin said the airline was still awaiting official word from the mediation board on the status of the negotiations.

33.   The mediation board early this month recessed talks between Northwest and the mechanics indefinitely, indicating the union had not presented a serious wage proposal.

34.   The mediation board has asked Comair and its pilots not to publicly comment on the negotiations.

35.   The mediation board is evaluating the petition cards submitted by AMFA.

36.   The mediation board would first have to recommend that the president act.

37.   The mechanics, whose contract came up for renewal last July, have appealed to the mediation board to declare an impasse in the negotiations.

38.   The mediation board declared the impasse after union negotiators countered a management proposal.

39.   The mediation board then offered to arbitrate the dispute.

40.   The mediation board was not expected to announce its decision Tuesday.