NW scabs

[Tref]

This is an example of a great bunch of workers with lousy representation.

Amen to that!

 

[Tref]

Though it's not a major I did have an interview with Mesaba in Minneapolis this past week. The CP doing the interviewing (and this was verified by several others there including average-joe line pilots) went over the situation with us. As he said it, the cleaners are the only ones being lopped off. NWA wants to outsource the job cheaper than they can do it in house. That represents the 50-some percent of the union as the cleaners/wrench turners are in the same union. As I understood it, they don't want to fire any wrench turners, but do want them to take roughly a 1/4 pay cut.

Mesaba mechanics aren't walking, never intended to. F/A's and Pilots never intended to as I understand either.

That's all I know and it isn't much...but hopefully it will help.

Hi FF,

I don't think the info you were given was completely accurate. The mechanics and cleaners used to be in the same union (IAM) but a few years ago the mechanics split off (AMFA).

The reason NWA wants to lay off such a large number off mechanics is because they want to outsource all of the heavy maintenance and just have company mechanics for line maintenance (like Southwest and some other carriers do.)

Crappy situation all around.

 

[arthompson]

Cleaners and Mechanics are both AMFA, NWA wants to outsource Aircraft cleaning, cleaners make up 700 of the proposed lay offs

 

[canyonblue]

they want to outsource all of the heavy maintenance and just have company mechanics for line maintenance (like Southwest and some other carriers do.)

One glaring discrepancy is that we don't outsource out of the USA. NWA is sending MX out to Thailand. We also do much more in house work than NWA will admit in the press, usually takes an AMFA Rep to point it out. The biggest difference between Southwest, and many other carriers, and Northwest, is that our Mechanics don't do our pushbacks (except in DAL). With 3000+ flights a day, that is a lot less mechanics.

 

[2EASYPilot]

Not wanting to get into the political republican versus democrat thing but is it not the business guys buying those expensive seats on the red tails and the last time I read anything of any value, is it not the republicans that are supposed to be capitalists, i.e., representing business interests. Seems like the last few times I have looked at ticket prices folks like me were paying much less than those bad for the country, business (replublican) guys. And by the way, I have had very good travel experiences on NW and hope they get this sorted out quickly. It's bad for the industry and bad for the country !!!

 

[FlyingFisherman]

Hi FF,

I don't think the info you were given was completely accurate. The mechanics and cleaners used to be in the same union (IAM) but a few years ago the mechanics split off (AMFA).

The reason NWA wants to lay off such a large number off mechanics is because they want to outsource all of the heavy maintenance and just have company mechanics for line maintenance (like Southwest and some other carriers do.)

Crappy situation all around.

Thanks! I completely agree...horrible situation. I appreciate the info...I'm not trying to hide I don't know much on the subject just wanted to contribute what little I'd heard from what I was hoping to be a good source. Good luck to all.

 

[KigAir]

One glaring discrepancy is that we don't outsource out of the USA. NWA is sending MX out to Thailand.

Thailand? First I heard MX was going to the Dominican Republic, then I heard Mexico now Thailand. I have a question about the logistics of this. Are they importing the workers into the US or are they sending the planes there? Seems like a long way to fly a plane for MX.

 

[Workin'Stiff]

I just found out from a -10 driver that they are sending some of the 10's to Singapore for the heavy checks... He said they had just repositioned the aircraft from there...

 

[dashtrash]

NWA is impossible to nonrev on. So, when I had to buy a ticket yesterday I voted with my feet by going over to the other terminal. Sun Country won my $. I know I'm not the only one.

 

[klhoard]

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Does anyone know if the scabs are currently on Per Diem and staying in Hotels?
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[mynameisjim]

If someone knew they would tell you that they are.

 

[Redmeat]

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Does anyone know if the scabs are currently on Per Diem and staying in Hotels?
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http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/4854907/detail.html

 

[Tref]

Thanks! I completely agree...horrible situation. I appreciate the info...I'm not trying to hide I don't know much on the subject just wanted to contribute what little I'd heard from what I was hoping to be a good source. Good luck to all.

FF,

Sorry, I gave you some bad info. I thought the cleaners stayed IAM, but they went with the mechanics and custodians to AMFA. Most of the rest of the ground workers are IAM.

I am pretty sure about out sourcing the heavy maintenance though. With a bit of research I found that AMFA at NWA represents approx 3500 mechanics, 790 cleaners and 75 custodians.

They wanted to lay off 53% of the AMFA members. 53% of 4365 is 2314, so alot of mechanics must be included in the lay offs to get to that number (1449 mechanics by my calculations.)

Tref

 

[exdashdriver]

DashTrash...you wouldn't happen to fly for Piedmont would you?

 

[ghostrider64]

Deli,

I appreciate your insight...My Union BTW does have a history. A history that if you don't fall in line you may just fall in a river with cement boots on More than likely to never be seen again

Know one has struggled more than our Local 1108 in the midst of a 4+ year struggle and being dealt cards that include ownership that have past and present Presidents as customers. Our hands are completely bound with the exception of flying our contract to the word. And we have a clause that allows us to honor any picket line without fear of retribution. Wether or not the mechanics followed an ill advised plan doesn't make the managements decisions right. Or honorable.

I have another NWA flight scheduled on Thursday. Perhaps you can help change my mind by having a friendly, welcoming and helpful crew meet the pax as we board and during our flight. In the past 4 years I've been met with the most disgusting service and crews, not only with NWA but all others, horrible attitudes abound. At least until yesterday when unbelievably a FA remembered how much coffee I drank and came to me personally midflight to offer me the first cup of a new pot. That was enough to give me fond thoughts of United for the month.

So you think that me flying as a passenger helps or hurts the mechanics chances at being employed by NWA?