"Replacement" Workers Becoming Rather Permanent

The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) reported on their website Friday that almost 57 percent of the union's voting membership rejected the latest settlement proposal from Northwest Airlines. It was hoped the proposal -- which would have given workers unemployment benefits, four weeks of layoff pay, as well as payment for accrued vacation time -- would end the four-month old mechanics strike at the beleaguered carrier.

The rejection wasn't especially surprising -- earlier this month, the mechanics union called the settlement proposal the "worst contract in the history of airline labor" -- but while the vote failed to end the stalemate between AMFA and the bankrupt carrier, the fact the settlement came to a vote at all might be seen as something as a positive.

As was reported in Aero-News, the first attempt to bring a contract to a vote ended in October when the union reneged on their initial decision to bring that proposal to a vote, claiming Northwest had inserted unfavorable language into the deal at the last minute.

"Our striking members refused to bow down to Northwest's arrogant, self-enriching management and will continue the strike against this renegade, union-busting airline," said AMFA National Director O.V. Delle-Femine in a statement, according to Reuters.

The union's rejection of the settlement proposal means the strike -- which began August 20 -- will likely extend well into the New Year. It also means the replacement workers hired by the carrier to fill in for the striking mechanics have additional job security.

"We are disappointed that members of AMFA have declined ratification of the company's latest contract proposal," Northwest said in a statement to Reuters. "A ratified agreement would have ended the mechanics' strike and allowed both parties to move forward."

AMFA represents about 4,400 mechanics and related employees at Northwest, although approximately half of them voted, according to the union.

Workers have been picketing at airports used by Northwest -- although as the strike wears on, some have gotten new jobs and others have crossed the picket line.

If Northwest's unions fail to reach deals with the carrier by January 17 -- the airline is also involved in negotiations with the Air Line Pilots Union (ALPA) and the International Association of Machinists (IAM) -- Northwest is expected to renew their earlier plea to the bankruptcy judge to allow the carrier to void all collective bargaining deals -- imposing the new contracts on the unions whether they want them or not.

"Northwest pilots have already made huge sacrifices to help our company with its financial problems," said ALPA Chairman Mark McClain. "We will not sacrifice pilot careers for a flying job at a start-up airline that may be sold off in the near future."

According to McClain, ALPA plans to hold an informational walkout January 4 to protest Northwest's labor policies -- although the IAM, which represents 14,400 ground workers, is hoping for a more amenable outcome.

"We hope to make any decision by the judge unnecessary," said IAM spokesman Joseph Tiberi.

FMI: www.nwa.com, www.amfa33.org, www.alpa.org, www.iamaw.org