More Union Busting at NWA

[mdanno808]

Northwest reportedly plans flight attendant outsourcing



[font=Trebuchet MS, Verdana][size=-2][font=Trebuchet MS, Verdana]By Martin J. Moylan
St. Paul Pioneer Press[/font]

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ST. PAUL, Minn. — Northwest Airlines, flying while in bankruptcy, wants to position itself to outsource all flight attendant jobs on international flights, as well as all attendant jobs on planes with 100 or fewer seats.

[/size][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times, serif][size=-1]That's the word from the flight attendants' union, which Northwest is leaning on for $195 million in annual wage and other givebacks.

[/size][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times, serif][size=-1]Northwest's outsourcing proposal could eliminate the jobs of thousands of the carrier's 9,800 flight attendants, said Bob Krabbe, assistant contract administrator for the Professional Flight Attendants Association. Many jobs could go overseas to lower-paid foreigners.

[/size][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times, serif][size=-1]"We'll fight this vigorously," he said.

[/size][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times, serif][size=-1]Northwest would not discuss the union's account of the airline's plans, saying it does not comment on contract negotiations.

[/size][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times, serif][size=-1]Currently, Northwest has about 500 flight attendants who are foreign nationals based in Asia. Those attendants are limited to flying south and west of Tokyo, said Krabbe.

[/size][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times, serif][size=-1]Hiring lower-paid foreign flight attendants could fit with Northwest's drive to cut costs.

[/size][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times, serif][size=-1]The airline, which has lost about $3 billion on its operations since the start of 2001, is seeking $1.4 billion in givebacks from its employees.

[/size][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times, serif][size=-1]Northwest flight attendants earn from $19,500 to $48,000 a year, depending on experience. The airline wants to cut their pay by as much as 22 percent. But it's expected that Northwest will soon raise that target.

[/size][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times, serif][size=-1]If the airline doesn't get the concessions it wants at the bargaining table, it can ask the judge overseeing its Chapter 11 bankruptcy to impose new contracts.

[/size][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times, serif][size=-1]Airline records indicate that Northwest's international operations provided about one-third of its passenger revenue — $2.8 billion — in 2004. That's a similar ratio as American, United and Continental airlines. Last year, Northwest's international service accounted for 42 percent of its revenue passenger miles. Revenue passenger miles are the number of miles an airline flies paying passengers.

[/size][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times, serif][size=-1]Outsourcing of aircraft maintenance work has been a trend in the airline industry. It was a major flashpoint in the confrontation between Northwest and its mechanics, who struck the airline Aug. 19. The mechanics' walkout continues, and Northwest is servicing its planes with a mix of replacement workers, outside vendors and managers licensed as aircraft mechanics.

[/size][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times, serif][size=-1]But outsourcing most or all flight attendant jobs on international flights would be an industry first, said Vaughn Cordle, chief analyst with Airline Forecasts, an independent research firm, and a pilot with a major airline.

[/size][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times, serif][size=-1]"No major U.S. airline is doing that," he said.

[/size][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times, serif][size=-1]The PFAA's Krabbe concurs.

[/size][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times, serif][size=-1]"They keep comparing us to United," he said of Northwest management. "But this has never been an issue at United. There's no need for the company to do this to survive. I think they're after the cheapest people they can find."

[/size][/font][font=Times New Roman, Times, serif][size=-1]United, which also is in bankruptcy, this past spring outsourced 50 telephone reservation jobs to India as it looked to trim costs. It already had sent 200 call center jobs to Nova Scotia.

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[mnboyev]

Is it true the cops kicked the picketeers off the airport property ? WTFO ? My buddy said they were gettin a little edgy and threatening. Well... NO crap.

 

[Flash]

Maybe they should outsource the management that got them in the position they are now in!

 

[General Lee]

Wow, I bet the AFA is browning their pants right now....


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Chronic Jetlag]

This is just the beginning. Cabotage of cargo has already ocurred out of ANC. Putting America on sale has been going on quietly for years. I would not be surprised at all if one day soon they'll try and outsource pilots. If NWA management gets their way, more than HALF of all FAs at NW will be gone. Disgusting!!!

 

[densoo]

Northwest Airlines, flying while in bankruptcy, wants to position itself to outsource all flight attendant jobs on international flights, as well as all attendant jobs on planes with 100 or fewer seats.

This is so outrageous that it seemed initially like a spoofed newstory from The Onion.

 

[COpilot]

Has anyone seen what happened to the Merchant Marine in this country? There are no Americans that I know of crewing all those large ships in our harbors.

 

[MECH]

To Nova Scotia, the min wage up there 8.00 plus. They also have to match more money for Canada pension then they do for Social Security. It is all about busting all organize labor. That has been the goal of some the political appointees at the NMB for a while. One of them was a lobbiest for NWA before her appointment to the NMB.

 

[furloughfodder]

Gotta love the Republicans! Bust those unions!

 

[Av8rPHX]

Is it true the cops kicked the picketeers off the airport property ? WTFO ? My buddy said they were gettin a little edgy and threatening. Well... NO shoot.

As far as I know they havent kicked them out of MSP. The only place they have been removed from is Airport Lane when a hundred or so blocked the road to the mx hangar to prevent the scabs from getting to work. A few mx were arrested after that.

 

[klhoard]

.
.
.
Is there any word on how many scab mechanics are signing up for permanent jobs at NWA??
.
.
.

 

[iflyhigh]

Outsourcing F/A jobs to the lowest bidder, no matter what country will only work, till NWA has an accident or incident and the domestic American customer can not understand them and they don't get people out. ( I am not wishing this upon them.) This will create alot of press and investigation.

Is Skeenland a minature Lorenzo or what?????

I know that legacy have to find away to cut costs, but an F/A already makes about what an average person makes at McDonalds. How much lower are they going to go. They already qualify for food stamps.

This is going to get real interesting.

 

[320AV8R]

Basically, another happy day.


320AV8R

 

[Spooky 1]

Has anyone seen what happened to the Merchant Marine in this country? There are no Americans that I know of crewing all those large ships in our harbors.

Wrong again!

 

[ironspud]

This is so outrageous that it seemed initially like a spoofed newstory from The Onion.[/font]

Maybe. But ya gotta admit - the quality of in-flight service will drastically improve...and that's a good thing.

 

[DHPFLYN]

I have seen ad's in the Houston paper from NWA looking for FA's. That whole thing makes me sick. I just flew out of MSP last week. It was pathetic to see those scabs in the yellow school bus. I saw them driving in and getting dropped off just outside the Hangar. Watching them hiding their faces as they go through the parking lots. I wish those guys on strike all the BEST !!! I was on strike for about a month when driving for UPS. I know how they feel but I have to say atleast our pilots supported us and walked out also. Kind of makes a big difference when the company gets totally shut down.

Good luck too everyone at NWA

 

[AnimalTale]

Is Skeenland a minature Lorenzo or what?????

He worked under Lorenzo back in the heyday, as did Richard Anderson.
I think STEENLAND could be more evil than Lorenzo, especially now that he sees the unions dont back each other up. Doesnt WORTHLESS sit side by side with STEENLAND on a congressional hearing? Makes me sick!

cya

 

[infoman]

To All,

I just finished watching a documentary on the Discovery channel about terroist. One interesting point struck like a hammer. Woman are accepted into the ranks of suicide bombers.
If NWA is truely going to hand over the keys of the flight deck, and security procedures to foregin empolyee because of cost savings....I am sure they will complete a backround check with equal care.
Someone,anyone....please tell me this is not true!
What is next? Outsourcing nuclear power plant controls to N Korean engineers, because they work for less! I am sure with computers. It could be accomplished.

I usally don't hit on politicial issues, and I am not the alarmist type,but this stinks to high heaven.

Have a Happy
infoman.

 

[ultrarunner]

You CAN and WILL be replaced.

I would be surprised if there are any union chest-thumpers out there that actually BELIEVE their organization gives them job security.

Unions had their day....they scored great in the good times, and they'll crash-and burn in the bad times.

What goes around, comes around.

 

[infoman]

Ultra,

If you read what I posted. You would discover I was asking about SECURITY. America's economy has a hard enough time dealing with mother nature let alone terroist attacks. I am sure Al Kaida would be happy to fly all our jets, as well as, any high security job we can outsource. Hell why not just dispose of all those pesk spent nuclear fuel rods from our power plants to the terroist. I am sure the can find ingenious ways to dispose of them. Hell anyway too turn a buck.

I will ask the question again. Does this form of outsourcing jepordize security?

Have a Happy!
infoman

 

[FearlessFreep]

Y'all voted for George Bush! What did you expect? He think's (does George Bush actually think?) outsourcing is good!

 

[infoman]

Fearlees,

If memory serves me right. Bill C. signed NAFTA into law. So my guess is that the "mothers milk" of politics won both parties over.

So I ask again. Does outsourcing jepordize security?

Have a Happy.
infoman

 

[Clyde]

Fearlees,

If memory serves me right. Bill C. signed NAFTA into law. So my guess is that the "mothers milk" of politics won both parties over.

So I ask again. Does outsourcing jepordize security?

Have a Happy.
infoman

Yes. When you outsource any work you sacrifice some of your control over that particular group. The employee does not work for you, but rather for the company that is working for you.

 

[Redmeat]

So I ask again. Does outsourcing jepordize security?

No question.

Especially with non-U.S citizens.

My opinion.

 

[ultrarunner]

I will ask the question again. Does this form of outsourcing jepordize security?

Have a Happy!
infoman

Of course it does. Just in the same way the airlines have outsourced airport security over the years. That's a big reason we're in this mess.

Do you really believe that the same reject doing airport security with a brand new USA FLAG on their shirt provides the same level of security as, say, the US military.

Of course not.

Proper ethnic and racial profiling, AT the airport level, will do more to enhance security than anything else.

If we're not willing to do that, it doesn't matter who the cabin crews are. Out sourced or not!

 

[infoman]

Clyde,

If a company that works for "me?" has instituted cost savings by choosing a cheaper foregin labor force. I can bet you a dollar to a dime that they will not complete a thorough backround check. This is the security breach of the year. Ideology does not present itself with a finger print check.

Have a Happy
infoman

 

[infoman]

Ultra,

Thanks for rereading my post.
Yes. You are right about the layers of people invoved in security, but I sure hope that the crews wether cabin or flight deck can be the last line we can count on.

Have a Happy.
infoman

 

[Jimdandy]

GWB = eight years of HE11

 

[Indy319FA]

Gotta love the Republicans! Bust those unions!

Y'all voted for George Bush! What did you expect? He think's (does George Bush actually think?) outsourcing is good!

GWB = eight years of HE11

All you Republican bashers might want to check your facts on NWA. Both Al Checchi and Wilson are Democrats, in fact Al Checci ran for the Democratic nomination for Governor of California against Grayout Davis. NWA's top lobbyist in DC just happens to be the wife of former Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota (she was working for NWA while he was majority leader as well). Also when Clinton had his big BBQ fundraiser a few years back (the one where Robin Williams made butt out of himself) the two big corporate sponsors were NWA and Delta.

Wow, I bet the AFA is browning their pants right now....

NWA FAs are with the PFA not AFA. AFA is talking about an organizing drive at NWA, however.


What did the NWA FAs and pilots expect when they allowed management to hire scabs to replace the mechanics? If they are smart, they will all walk if NWA management tries to make these replacements permanent. Even though they may not like each other, the pilots, FAs, and mechanics are going to have to work together, or management will cut them apart piecemeal.

I can hear it now......welcome abord Northwest flight XXXX 787 service to Tokyo/Narita operated by Mesa Airlines.........

If NWAs pilots think this won't happen to them they are living in a dream world. NWA is perfecting their technique on the mechanics and FAs. When they're done the pilots will be next..........

 

[mdanno808]

I agree, that all the other labor groups should have seen this coming once the mechanics were replaced. Gonna be an interesting few months.