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Reuters
Northwest judge says attendants may strike
Thursday August 17, 1:52 pm ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. bankruptcy court judge on Thursday ruled that Northwest Airlines Corp. (Other OTC:NWACQ.PK - News) flight attendants can strike, clearing the way for the union to start job actions as early as Aug. 25.
Northwest said that it will appeal the ruling and that it has a range of contingency options to respond to any work disruption by the flight attendants.
Judge Allan Gropper also denied the Association of Flight Attendants' request to force Northwest to impose terms from a tentative deal it reached with the airline in July.
The No. 5 U.S. carrier, which filed for bankruptcy protection in September, on July 31 imposed terms on the flight attendants from a tentative deal it had reached with their union in March to save $195 million annually.
The flight attendants had preferred the terms of the July deal. Members had rejected both the tentative agreements and threatened to strike.
Northwest had argued that a strike under current conditions violates the federal Railway Labor Act, which restricts workers' rights to disrupt it and covers the airline industry.
"We remain committed to continuing to serve our customers professionally," Northwest Chief Executive Doug Steenland said in a statement. "Northwest's continuing goal is to reach consensual agreements with all of its unions, including AFA."
Union spokesman Ricky Thornton said no talks were currently scheduled with the airline. "We're very excited with the ruling," Thornton said.
The AFA, which last called a strike in 1993, has said it will use a strategy called CHAOS (Create Havoc Around Our System) to gain leverage over management in labor negotiations.
CHAOS, which the AFA has trademarked, calls for a number of job actions, ranging from public protest to unannounced strikes
Northwest judge says attendants may strike
Thursday August 17, 1:52 pm ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. bankruptcy court judge on Thursday ruled that Northwest Airlines Corp. (Other OTC:NWACQ.PK - News) flight attendants can strike, clearing the way for the union to start job actions as early as Aug. 25.
Northwest said that it will appeal the ruling and that it has a range of contingency options to respond to any work disruption by the flight attendants.
Judge Allan Gropper also denied the Association of Flight Attendants' request to force Northwest to impose terms from a tentative deal it reached with the airline in July.
The No. 5 U.S. carrier, which filed for bankruptcy protection in September, on July 31 imposed terms on the flight attendants from a tentative deal it had reached with their union in March to save $195 million annually.
The flight attendants had preferred the terms of the July deal. Members had rejected both the tentative agreements and threatened to strike.
Northwest had argued that a strike under current conditions violates the federal Railway Labor Act, which restricts workers' rights to disrupt it and covers the airline industry.
"We remain committed to continuing to serve our customers professionally," Northwest Chief Executive Doug Steenland said in a statement. "Northwest's continuing goal is to reach consensual agreements with all of its unions, including AFA."
Union spokesman Ricky Thornton said no talks were currently scheduled with the airline. "We're very excited with the ruling," Thornton said.
The AFA, which last called a strike in 1993, has said it will use a strategy called CHAOS (Create Havoc Around Our System) to gain leverage over management in labor negotiations.
CHAOS, which the AFA has trademarked, calls for a number of job actions, ranging from public protest to unannounced strikes
