As if baggage delays and maltreatment weren't bad enough already, baggage handlers may soon even have less of an incentive for your luggage to arrive with all its Vuitons on its Louis.

Northwest Airlines is considering an 11.5% in handlers wages, saving the airline $87 million a year. A tentative accord, which must still be voted on by union members, eliminates 719 jobs and reduces vacation and holiday time, reported the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the worker's union, on its website.

"The negotiating committee unanimously recommends ratification of the agreement to avoid the elimination of our contract," said IAM District 143 President Bobby DePace. "We are not recommending ratification because the terms are favorable, but because the alternative is worse."

Next up: baggage handlers eliminated, airlines introduce load-it-yourself air travel.

"Baggage Handlers Face 11.5% Pay Cut" [Chicago Tribune]