AMFA Claims Northwest Proposed "Even Harsher Terms" In Final
Offer
The Aircraft Mechanics
Fraternal Association went on strike against Northwest Airlines at
midnight, Friday. According to AMFA statements, the decision came
"after the carrier's last-best-and-final offer, presented on
Thursday afternoon in last-ditch negotiations, contained even
harsher terms than Northwest's prior offer."
O.V. Delle-Femine, AMFA national director, authorized the strike
against Northwest Airlines to commence at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday
August 20, 2005.
Northwest Airlines Statement: 'Will Continue To Operate Normal
Schedule'
Northwest Airlines today said that it plans to operate its
normal schedule despite the failure to reach a consensual agreement
with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA).
"Northwest customers can continue to depend on Northwest for
their travel needs. We intend to operate our normal schedule of
domestic and international flights," said Doug Steenland, president
and chief executive officer.
"During the past 18
months, Northwest developed a comprehensive contingency plan that
includes expanded vendor relationships to ensure that the airline
continues to operate normally. Northwest has experienced, licensed
and trained mechanics in place to service all NWA aircraft. The
airline remains in full compliance with all Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) regulations."
"The Northwest final offer was fair to our employees while
recognizing the need for equitable labor costs savings from all
labor groups so that Northwest could restructure successfully,"
Steenland continued.
Because of the failure to reach an agreement with AMFA
leadership prior to the midnight (EDT), August 20 deadline,
Northwest has implemented new terms and conditions for its
mechanics as permitted by the federal Railway Labor Act.
As always, Northwest customers can check on the status of their
flights by utilizing the airline's web site, www.nwa.com or by calling
the NWA flight information line at (800) 441-1818.
Official AMFA Strike Statement
"The eight-month negotiating period has been an arrogant farce
with a predetermined ending," said Delle-Femine. "The fact that
Northwest began making strike preparations 18 months ago, a full
year before our negotiation process started, proves that the talks
were a farce. This regressive final offer simply confirms that
Northwest's plan all along has been to force a strike and enter
bankruptcy, in the hope that a judge would impose the economically
devastating terms Northwest knew it couldn't get through the normal
give-and-take of negotiations. Their goal is to bust our union and
all their other unions, one at a time.
"Northwest wanted a strike, and now they have one," Delle-Femine
added. "We apologize in advance to the flying public for the
inconvenience and disruption the strike will cause. This will be
difficult for our members and their families too, but Northwest
left us no choice."
Before the regressive final offer, Northwest had clung to its
initial demand that would have required a majority of AMFA members
to approve a contract in which 53 percent of them would lose their
jobs. Northwest had also demanded pay cuts for remaining employees
of 25-26 percent, with no job security for the positions. Northwest
dismissed AMFA's recent proposal that would have saved the airline
the $176 million annually it said it was seeking, while preserving
more jobs.
Regarding the impact of a strike, Delle-Femine said, "To keep
ticket sales moving, Northwest has painted an improbable picture in
which nothing goes wrong during a strike; but in its August 9
financial report to regulators, the company stated 'there can be no
assurances it will be able to continue operating a full schedule in
the event of a strike'.
"We expect flight
schedules to be disrupted with delays and cancellations, because
4,500 AMFA technicians who average 20 years of live experience on
Northwest's fleet are being replaced by 1,500 people who in many
cases have little or no live experience on the type of aircraft
Northwest flies and are relying on a few months of hurried
classroom training and hands-on practice on non-live aircraft. With
this woefully inadequate training, the replacement workers are
expected to know how to work on live DC-9's, A-319's, A-320's,
A-330's, DC-10's, B-757's, B-747's and the B-747 freighters.
"Northwest has one of the airline industry's oldest fleets,
including DC-9s and DC-10s from as long ago as the 1960s,"
Delle-Femine added. "Our mechanics grew up with these vintage
planes and know all of their idiosyncrasies and how to keep them
flying reliably," he said.
"In addition, we expect substantial support to build from
members of other unions who realize that Northwest is coming after
them next," Delle-Femine said. UPS pilots announced earlier this
week that they will not fly any Northwest cargo during an AMFA
strike, and AMFA leaders at all airlines represented by the union
unanimously passed a resolution to implement whatever form of
action necessary to support Northwest Airlines members in the event
of a strike.
He said part of Northwest's grand plan for bankruptcy includes
eliminating current pension plans for all Northwest employees with
no penalty, dumping the plans on the Pension Benefit Guarantee
Corporation and potentially forcing taxpayers to pick up the tab.
"Naturally, this will not include the pension plans of upper
management, which will remain protected."
Metropolitan Airports Commission's Strike Response
Metropolitan Airports
Commission Chair Vicki Tigwell tonight issued the following
statement regarding the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association's
strike of Northwest Airlines:
"I regret that a strike was not averted. My hope is that both
sides will continue to talk and a settlement remains a mutual
goal.
"The Metropolitan Airports Commission will continue to focus on
the safe, efficient operation of Minneapolis-St. Paul International
Airport. We will work with all the airlines operating at MSP in an
effort to minimize any disruption to travelers and to maintain high
levels of customer service."