Source: Associated Press

NEW YORK - A federal judge blocked Northwest Airlines flight attendants from going on strike Friday, handing a victory to the cash-strapped airline.

U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero said he will issue an injunction that allow time for him to examine the case. He said Northwest made a "persuasive case" that a delay in any strike was necessary so that the legal issues could be resolved.

He said that while the injury to flight attendants would be to delay their ability to strike, "far greater injuries exist to Northwest and the public by permitting the strike to commence at this point."

Northwest, already operating under bankruptcy protection, has said a strike like that could kill it.