Northwest Airlines asks bankruptcy court to void labor contracts News
Northwest Airlines asks bankruptcy court to void labor contracts

[JURIST] Northwest Airlines [corporate website] asked a federal bankruptcy judge Wednesday to void labor contracts if its employee unions do not agree to concessions worth $1.4 billion a year [NWA press release]. The attempted savings are part of the airline's larger plan to reduce costs by $2.5 billion after the fourth-largest US airline filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September [JURIST report]. The company plans on a second round of pay and benefit reductions during the upcoming year and also plans to reduce its flight schedule. Reuters has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.