NWA AMFA officially on strike!!

[FN FAL]

Yepp, you've got it straight.

How many typical readers will figure that out?

It's all about union busting.

 

[Lear70]

NWA Management spent $100 million to train replacements, yet they are seeking a $176 million pay give back???

That's a one-tme $100 Million training cost against a $176 Million PER YEAR cut in pay AND benefits.

Further, they are asking for a 26% pay cut, which would make the pay for the MX techs go to about $26 per hour instead of about $37 an hour. Yet, they are paying $32 an hour for replacement MX techs, plus housing costs, which I am certain equals more than $37 an hour.

That's a wopping $6 difference per hour, and they are not paying the replacement MX people benefits to go along with that. Comparing pay rates is only half the battle, work rules are EVERYTHING as any union pilot can attest to.

Further, comparing the NWA MX Techs to SWA MX Techs is like apples and oranges. The NWA MX Techs work on several different types of aircraft, have to have more certifications, etc. Interestingly enough, the SWA MX Techs make more on average than the NWA Techs. Not taking anything away from SWA people, but I find it odd the pay differentation.

Actually, it takes very little to turn a wrench on an airplane. Only the supervisors have to be checked out on the aircraft specifics, the rest barely have to have an A&P license - the supervisor can sign it off while a "tech" turns the wrenches "under observation". Not like the pilot world where each aircraft is a different signoff for EVERY pilot.

It amazes me how management will step over a dollar to pick up a dime. Raise the fares and you can keep your people AND make money!!

Now there I agree with you 100%.

For the record, I think it's abhorrent what NWA management is doing to the mechanics and I think they make a fare wage for their craft with what they offered Northwest.

I think the only thing we've learned here today is that

a.) Northwest WANTS to lock out the mechanics, probably to enter bankruptcy under plausible reasons,

b.) The union groups won't stand together, but will hang separately.

Sad, but true...

 

[COpilot]

It's all about union busting.

Yeah it sure is... And they just Busted NWA ALPA! Not even a wimper from the pilots with the National Union leader flying for them.

I hope someone gets a picture of Duane crossing the picket line to his airplane?

It'll look great on the cover of next months ALPA magazine.

 

[Caveman]

Two thoughts:

First of all, this quote once again shows that newspaper hacks don't know squat about what they are writing about. "The strike was the first major labor disruption in the airline industry since 1998." What was CMR in '01? I guess a net loss of around $1B doesn't count.

Second, if the NW pilots and flight attendants are gonna cross the picket lines I hope they'll at least fly to the letter of the contract and the standards manual. Fast walk taxi's, write up EVERYTHING that's legitimate, two engine taxi, etc, etc. Do NOTHING to help the company at all and completely ignore the scab mechanics as much as possible.

Whatever happened to unions supporting each other......

 

[Dodge]

Second, if the NW pilots and flight attendants are gonna cross the picket lines I hope they'll at least fly to the letter of the contract and the standards manual. Fast walk taxi's, write up EVERYTHING that's legitimate, two engine taxi, etc, etc. Do NOTHING to help the company at all and completely ignore the scab mechanics as much as possible.

Whatever happened to unions supporting each other......

It's called "saving my retirement". Good point on following the manuals to the letter.

 

[WillowRunVortex]

I hope someone gets a picture of Duane crossing the picket line to his airplane?

It'll look great on the cover of next months ALPA magazine.

LOL,,,It would be framed and hanging (no pun intended) in the den at my house. Probably one in the basement too for the dart board.

 

[Rogue5]

And they just Busted NWA ALPA! Not even a wimper from the pilots with the National Union leader flying for them.

I hope someone gets a picture of Duane crossing the picket line to his airplane?

It'll look great on the cover of next months ALPA magazine.

I could not have put it any simpler myself.

Let me quote you again:

And they just Busted NWA ALPA! Not even a wimper from the pilots with the National Union leader flying for them.

I hope someone gets a picture of Duane crossing the picket line to his airplane?

It'll look great on the cover of next months ALPA magazine.

and again...

And they just Busted NWA ALPA! Not even a wimper from the pilots with the National Union leader flying for them.

I hope someone gets a picture of Duane crossing the picket line to his airplane?

It'll look great on the cover of next months ALPA magazine.

Anyone wish to drop DW a line and request he reflect on this thought?

 

[castle bravo]

That's a one-tme $100 Million training cost against a $176 Million PER YEAR cut in pay AND benefits.



Well, here's a recurring cost: NWA management's complete failure to do any sort of meaningful fuel hedging. Had mgmt just mindlessly emulated some of what the strategy of WN has been, NWA would be well ahead of where they are now. I know, I know, the old "we don't have enough money to hedge" argument. Today, it sure looks like they did'nt have enough money to have NOT hedged......






I think the only thing we've learned here today is that

a.) Northwest WANTS to lock out the mechanics, probably to enter bankruptcy under plausible reasons,

b.) The union groups won't stand together, but will hang separately.

Sad, but true...

Here's another: W shot off his mouth during his first term about how there "will be no airline strikes under my watch" (or words to that effect). Now, he conveniently turns a blind eye. Then again, maybe his current labor secretary and former NWA board member Elaine Chao had some influence on his decision? Where's the PEB you promised, W?

 

[Donsa320]

LOL,,,It would be framed and hanging (no pun intended) in the den at my house. Probably one in the basement too for the dart board.

Duane has not flown an NWA airplane in many, many moons. The MEC chairman usually does not either, during his chairmanship at a large airline. This prevents the company from "taking him hostage". This situation just occurred lately at TSA and now ALPA is paying the MEC guys' salaries while it is grieved.

~DC

 

[Weasil]

It's all about union busting.

exactly!