Midwest is going to eliminate their own ground workers. Then, Skyway will hire these workers back, at Skyway pay, to NOT service Skyway, but to service MIDWEST. I feel sorry for these people. Many will lose 10+ years of seniority and 50% pay.
Article is here:
http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/mar05/306174.asp
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Midwest transferring jobs to Skyway
Commuter carrier pays ground crews less than Midwest Airlines
Posted: March 2, 2005
The corporate parent of Midwest Airlines is eliminating 70 ground crew jobs at Mitchell International Airport and moving an additional 141 such positions to its commuter carrier at reduced pay, a company executive said Wednesday.
The "ramp and grooming" jobs, which include baggage handlers and workers who prepare planes for flights, are being shifted from Midwest Airlines to Skyway Airlines, a regional carrier owned by Midwest Air Group Inc. Midwest Air Group is also the corporate parent of Midwest Airlines.
The move will save Midwest Air Group more than $1 million annually by eliminating overlapping services between Midwest and Skyway Airlines, said Carol Skornicka, Midwest Air senior vice president of corporate affairs.
"This is clearly an area where we know we can get the work done more cost effectively," she said.
The move will eliminate 211 jobs at Midwest Airlines, Skornicka said. Skyway will, in turn, add 141 positions to take over the ramp and grooming duties from Midwest Airlines, she said.
Also, Skyway is taking over the in-flight meal service for Midwest Airlines from an outside vendor. Skornicka said Skyway's commissary will add 60 jobs to help handle that additional work.
Midwest Airlines employees are encouraged to apply for the Skyway jobs, she said.
Skyway starts its ramp employees at $7.25 an hour, compared with starting pay of $8.98 an hour at Midwest, Skornicka said.
Skyway is considering boosting that starting pay rate, she said.
However, Midwest ramp employees will lose their seniority by going to Skyway, Skornicka said. A Midwest ramp employee with 10 years of seniority makes $14.15 an hour, she said.
Because of that pay gap, Midwest management believes many Midwest ramp employees will not seek entry-level jobs at Skyway. She said the non-union employees are being offered severance packages.
The transition of the ramp and grooming employees will be phased in as Skyway hires and trains new workers, Skornicka said. That process is expected to be completed in June, she said.
Midwest Air Group, which posted a $43.1 million loss in 2004, has taken a number of steps to reduce its costs, including the recent outsourcing of around 150 maintenance positions. Midwest and other airlines have struggled as companies have cut back on travel and jet fuel prices have remained high.
Midwest Air Group has almost 3,000 employees, including 2,400 in Milwaukee and Oak Creek.
Article is here:
http://www.jsonline.com/bym/news/mar05/306174.asp
----------------------------------------------------
Midwest transferring jobs to Skyway
Commuter carrier pays ground crews less than Midwest Airlines
Posted: March 2, 2005
The corporate parent of Midwest Airlines is eliminating 70 ground crew jobs at Mitchell International Airport and moving an additional 141 such positions to its commuter carrier at reduced pay, a company executive said Wednesday.
The "ramp and grooming" jobs, which include baggage handlers and workers who prepare planes for flights, are being shifted from Midwest Airlines to Skyway Airlines, a regional carrier owned by Midwest Air Group Inc. Midwest Air Group is also the corporate parent of Midwest Airlines.
The move will save Midwest Air Group more than $1 million annually by eliminating overlapping services between Midwest and Skyway Airlines, said Carol Skornicka, Midwest Air senior vice president of corporate affairs.
"This is clearly an area where we know we can get the work done more cost effectively," she said.
The move will eliminate 211 jobs at Midwest Airlines, Skornicka said. Skyway will, in turn, add 141 positions to take over the ramp and grooming duties from Midwest Airlines, she said.
Also, Skyway is taking over the in-flight meal service for Midwest Airlines from an outside vendor. Skornicka said Skyway's commissary will add 60 jobs to help handle that additional work.
Midwest Airlines employees are encouraged to apply for the Skyway jobs, she said.
Skyway starts its ramp employees at $7.25 an hour, compared with starting pay of $8.98 an hour at Midwest, Skornicka said.
Skyway is considering boosting that starting pay rate, she said.
However, Midwest ramp employees will lose their seniority by going to Skyway, Skornicka said. A Midwest ramp employee with 10 years of seniority makes $14.15 an hour, she said.
Because of that pay gap, Midwest management believes many Midwest ramp employees will not seek entry-level jobs at Skyway. She said the non-union employees are being offered severance packages.
The transition of the ramp and grooming employees will be phased in as Skyway hires and trains new workers, Skornicka said. That process is expected to be completed in June, she said.
Midwest Air Group, which posted a $43.1 million loss in 2004, has taken a number of steps to reduce its costs, including the recent outsourcing of around 150 maintenance positions. Midwest and other airlines have struggled as companies have cut back on travel and jet fuel prices have remained high.
Midwest Air Group has almost 3,000 employees, including 2,400 in Milwaukee and Oak Creek.
