Northwest lays off 27,500 workers due to pilots' strike

MINNEAPOLIS - Northwest Airlines laid off 27,500 more employeestoday because of a strike by pilots.

The affected employees include mechanics, flight attendants,customer service employees and other ground workers. Northwest'sfirst layoffs covered 177 workers.

Northwest announced it has canceled all flights through Labor Day.

"This is a sad day for Northwest Airlines," said Dewayne Tucker,Northwest vice president.

Northwest said more layoffs may follow. The company has about50,000 employees.

Earlier today, the National Mediation Board called an …