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http://www.startribune.com/stories/535/5435034.html
Is Northwest heading for a strike?
Liz Fedor, Star Tribune June 2, 2005 AMFA0602
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http://servedby.advertising.com/cli...f3281,5499300804,696173^259930_/bnum=13800437 Facing what some union leaders call "an inevitable strike," mechanics at Northwest Airlines said Wednesday that the airline already has hired almost 400 replacement workers.
Ted Ludwig, president of Local 33 of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), said union members discovered the names of recent mechanic hires in Northwest's computer system. A Northwest spokesman said Wednesday: "Contrary to some reports, we have not added replacement workers to our payroll."
But Ludwig, who represents mechanics based in the Twin Cities, said AMFA members around the United States found the names in training records available to Northwest employees.
He said the new mechanics had employment start dates of May 19 and May 25. But he added that no AMFA members have reported seeing new employees on the job.
While reviewing the records, Ludwig said, AMFA members spotted new mechanic hires in Washington, D.C.; Detroit; Memphis; Anchorage; Seattle; Boston; Chicago; Honolulu, and New York, but none in the Twin Cities, one of Northwest's two big hubs.
When asked why there were no Twin Cities hires on the lists gathered by AMFA workers, Ludwig said, "I don't really understand it either."
Northwest and AMFA negotiators are in mediated talks this week in Duluth, but the airline has asked the National Mediation Board to declare an impasse in the negotiations. Management has argued for pay and benefit cuts for AMFA members that would save the airline $176 million per year. Management has proposed 25 to 26 percent wage cuts for AMFA mechanics, cleaners and custodians, and wants to cut 2,840 more union jobs.
AMFA "refuses to acknowledge that such labor cost savings are necessary or appropriate," Northwest said in its May 24 letter to the mediation board. "The deteriorating financial condition of the company requires prompt action."
AMFA has until next week to respond to Northwest's request for an impasse.
"While it is not the intention of AMFA to strike Northwest, it is beginning to look like this is the path that Northwest Airlines has chosen," AMFA's Strike Preparedness Committee said in a Wednesday report. At this stage, the committee told Local 33 members that they are moving toward "an inevitable strike."
Under federal law, strike countdown would begin if the mediation board releases the two sides from negotiations. If an impasse is declared, there would follow a 30-day cooling-off period, during which a negotiated agreement might be reached.
Also, President Bush could appoint a presidential emergency board to block a strike. Asked whether he thought Bush would intervene, Ludwig said, "I don't know. I haven't thought that far ahead." In 2001, an emergency board was named, and the two sides went back to the table and reached an agreement.
AMFA leaders are preparing to picket next Thursday at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Ludwig said members will emphasize the strike threat and the union's opposition to outsourcing more maintenance work.
The union's legal counsel is investigating the hiring of replacement workers, Ludwig said. "The union is not going to make a concerted effort to contact them," he said. But he added that rank-and-file members probably would try to contact replacement workers. "They don't want to stand back and wait for these people to come in and take their jobs."
Is Northwest heading for a strike?
Liz Fedor, Star Tribune June 2, 2005 AMFA0602
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Ted Ludwig, president of Local 33 of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), said union members discovered the names of recent mechanic hires in Northwest's computer system. A Northwest spokesman said Wednesday: "Contrary to some reports, we have not added replacement workers to our payroll."
But Ludwig, who represents mechanics based in the Twin Cities, said AMFA members around the United States found the names in training records available to Northwest employees.
He said the new mechanics had employment start dates of May 19 and May 25. But he added that no AMFA members have reported seeing new employees on the job.
While reviewing the records, Ludwig said, AMFA members spotted new mechanic hires in Washington, D.C.; Detroit; Memphis; Anchorage; Seattle; Boston; Chicago; Honolulu, and New York, but none in the Twin Cities, one of Northwest's two big hubs.
When asked why there were no Twin Cities hires on the lists gathered by AMFA workers, Ludwig said, "I don't really understand it either."
Northwest and AMFA negotiators are in mediated talks this week in Duluth, but the airline has asked the National Mediation Board to declare an impasse in the negotiations. Management has argued for pay and benefit cuts for AMFA members that would save the airline $176 million per year. Management has proposed 25 to 26 percent wage cuts for AMFA mechanics, cleaners and custodians, and wants to cut 2,840 more union jobs.
AMFA "refuses to acknowledge that such labor cost savings are necessary or appropriate," Northwest said in its May 24 letter to the mediation board. "The deteriorating financial condition of the company requires prompt action."
AMFA has until next week to respond to Northwest's request for an impasse.
"While it is not the intention of AMFA to strike Northwest, it is beginning to look like this is the path that Northwest Airlines has chosen," AMFA's Strike Preparedness Committee said in a Wednesday report. At this stage, the committee told Local 33 members that they are moving toward "an inevitable strike."
Under federal law, strike countdown would begin if the mediation board releases the two sides from negotiations. If an impasse is declared, there would follow a 30-day cooling-off period, during which a negotiated agreement might be reached.
Also, President Bush could appoint a presidential emergency board to block a strike. Asked whether he thought Bush would intervene, Ludwig said, "I don't know. I haven't thought that far ahead." In 2001, an emergency board was named, and the two sides went back to the table and reached an agreement.
AMFA leaders are preparing to picket next Thursday at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Ludwig said members will emphasize the strike threat and the union's opposition to outsourcing more maintenance work.
The union's legal counsel is investigating the hiring of replacement workers, Ludwig said. "The union is not going to make a concerted effort to contact them," he said. But he added that rank-and-file members probably would try to contact replacement workers. "They don't want to stand back and wait for these people to come in and take their jobs."
