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."

FMI: www.amfanatl.org, www.nwa.com