Northwest trying to outsource pilots!

[lumax]

Northwest plans flight attendant outsourcing

Report: Airline wants to save by farming out its prized overseas routes


MSNBC News Services
Updated: 9:03 a.m. ET Oct. 26, 2005

Northwest Airlines is planning to outsource some of the positions filled by senior flight attendants on its coveted international routes according to a report in Wednesday’s Wall Street Journal.
Emboldened by its success in beating a mechanics strike with an army of replacement workers, the move is another sign that the airline, which filed for bankruptcy-court protection last month, wants to become a “virtual airline,” with all sorts of jobs previously claimed by organized labor outsourced to cheaper workers according to the newspaper report — a tactic the paper says other airlines may be forced to copy.
Northwest told its bankruptcy-court judge earlier this month that it will ask the court at a Nov. 16 hearing to cancel its current labor contracts if the unions do not agree by the middle of November to new conditions that would save hundreds of millions of dollars a year the newspaper reported. The airline is also trying to outsource pilot and ground-worker jobs, the paper said.


When is management going to see labor as an asset rather than a liability?
Companies that have realized that are successful, SWA, Costco.

 

[icefr8dawg]

When is management going to see labor as an asset rather than a liability?
Companies that have realized that are successful, SWA, Costco.

Not to mention Pan Am, Eastern and American...

 

[zonker]

I have a hard time believing that there isn't a well-educated Asian or Indian executive out there who could do Steenland's job at 25 cents on the dollar.

Maybe the board should look into this.

 

[Chronic Jetlag]

outsource the ceo

I have a hard time believing that there isn't a well-educated Asian or Indian executive out there who could do Steenland's job at 25 cents on the dollar.

Maybe the board should look into this.

Try 10 cents on the dollar! Steenland won't be done until he sells the entire company.

 

[sleeves]

We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.

- Ben Franklin

 

[jetexas]

Northwest plans flight attendant outsourcing

Report: Airline wants to save by farming out its prized overseas routes


MSNBC News Services
Updated: 9:03 a.m. ET Oct. 26, 2005

Northwest Airlines is planning to outsource some of the positions filled by senior flight attendants on its coveted international routes according to a report in Wednesday’s Wall Street Journal.
Emboldened by its success in beating a mechanics strike with an army of replacement workers, the move is another sign that the airline, which filed for bankruptcy-court protection last month, wants to become a “virtual airline,” with all sorts of jobs previously claimed by organized labor outsourced to cheaper workers according to the newspaper report — a tactic the paper says other airlines may be forced to copy.
Northwest told its bankruptcy-court judge earlier this month that it will ask the court at a Nov. 16 hearing to cancel its current labor contracts if the unions do not agree by the middle of November to new conditions that would save hundreds of millions of dollars a year the newspaper reported. The airline is also trying to outsource pilot and ground-worker jobs, the paper said.


When is management going to see labor as an asset rather than a liability?
Companies that have realized that are successful, SWA, Costco.

I wonder if the traveling public would balk at that? I guess as long as the flight arrives on time and tickets remain dirt cheap, they won't care?

 

[TWA Dude]

I guess as long as the flight arrives on time and tickets remain dirt cheap, they won't care?

Not only is that true but it's always been the case. Unions are weak and bankruptcy-boosted management is strong right now. Welcome to the 21st century.

 

[Hamburgler]

I think this is indicative of a major trend that not many people are paying attention to - the one of outsourcing upper middle-class white collar jobs like accounting, etc. (People notic it but there is not the outcry there is over US companies taking major factory jobs overseas, etc.)

I'm reading The World Is Flat by Thomas Friedman, very interesting argument that can increasingly be applied to the aviation industry...

 

[Jimdandy]

Thanks to George W. Bush!

Labor will never have a chance to stand up to mgmt with guys like him in office appting. judges and magistrates and making policy - we are all FUBARed

 

[Captain Overs]

We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.

- Ben Franklin

Exactly what does this post have to do with treason?

 

[FlyinScotsman]

Thanks to George W. Bush!

Labor will never have a chance to stand up to mgmt with guys like him in office appting. judges and magistrates and making policy - we are all FUBARed

Why is it Georges fault??

It is the state of the industry, it has arrived at this point through many administrations, to blame George is a little short sighted. The industry didn't arrive at this point overnight.

 

[Rogue5]

Flight Crew outsourcing has been going on for a long time by putting "regional" aircraft and crews on mainline routes and by giving them larger and larger aircraft with lower pay and benefits.

Seems like NWA is just trying to play catchup to the likes of DAL, UAL, etc...

 

[Ty Webb]

I have to laugh at these clowns that blame everything on George Bush. I guess when you don't understand a complex problem, it makes you feel better to have someone to blame, even if they don't have anything to do with your particular problem.

 

[Hair-on-Fire]

I have to laugh at these clowns that blame everything on George Bush. I guess when you don't understand a complex problem, it makes you feel better to have someone to blame, even if they don't have anything to do with your particular problem.

I'm glad you understand the "complex problem" we have.

Republican administrations have always been less friendly to organized labor. I guess they're not happy that unions give almost all their political contributions to Democrats. Personally, I have to laugh at pilots that like to think of themselves as something other than working class union labor, and vote Republican. Then they can't figure out why the administration and congress isn't concerned about issues like pension reform.

 

[Dumbluck]

Get back on track,


Read between the lines, if NWA is publicly stating that their thinking about outsourceing International pilot/FA's, generally the most senior of the group, I bet that this is a tactic to get senior employees to take a early retirement, when it comes available. It would save mgt. a big fight with the most stalwart group of pilots when the concession talks begin

 

[GuppyPuppy]

Flight Crew outsourcing has been going on for a long time by putting "regional" aircraft and crews on mainline routes and by giving them larger and larger aircraft with lower pay and benefits.

Seems like NWA is just trying to play catchup to the likes of DAL, UAL, etc...

How's the union drive going at SkyWest?

Good luck to you guys. I hope you can finally organize.

GP

 

[Ty Webb]

Republican administrations have always been less friendly to organized labor. I guess they're not happy that unions give almost all their political contributions to Democrats.

Labor was in a downward spiral during CLinton's 8 years, chief. Don't kid yourself. Politicians get their money from corporations and wealthy shareholders.

Personally, I have to laugh at pilots that like to think of themselves as something other than working class union labor, and vote Republican.

Personally, I have to laugh at message-board pilots that think that things would have been better under John Kerry! If that was the best the Democratic party could offer, no wonder they lost.

Maybe, instead of blaming Bush, you should blame the DNC for giving America such a lousy slate of contenders . . . . and then they name Dean to head the party. You really want those buffoons running the country?

Not me.

 

[SWAPoolie]

Maybe the pilots and FAs should have supported the mechanics.

 

[airmasn]

Maybe the pilots and FAs should have supported the mechanics.

NWA probably would have declared bankruptcy that much quicker, thus removing any leverage (if there ever was any) from the remaining unions. Management would have accomplished their goals that much quicker.

 

[pilotyip]

This was a Crandall AAL idea, 1989 proposal, that AAL would become a marketing company selling tickets on routes. Then companies would bid to fly those routes. Low bidder gets the route. Iaccoa proposed this for Chrysler in 1979, Chrysler would design cars, have dealer network and farm out all the manufacturing to the low bidder, if the unions and banks did not go along with the reorganization plan. Look at them today, they are the only profitable N. American auto maker. This is not something new.