Fri, Aug 08, 2008
Outsourcing Ramp Worker Jobs Hasn't Saved Money
A federal arbitrator has ruled Alaska Airlines violated its
collective bargaining agreement with International Association of
Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Air Transport District 143
when the carrier laid off 472 Seattle baggage handlers and other
ramp workers in May 2005.
The ruling comes more than three years after Alaska Airlines
subcontracted its entire Seattle ground handling operation to
Menzies Aviation,
as ANN reported. IAM says union-represented
ramp employees who showed up to work on May 13, 2005, had their
security badges deactivated by Alaska and were told they no longer
had jobs.
Since outsourcing the work to Menzies, Alaska Airlines has
endured negative press reports involving lost and mishandled bags,
flight delays, safety problems and increased customer complaints.
Among the most glaring incidents was
the loss of cabin pressure onboard an MD-80 on climbout
from SeaTac on December 26, 2005... which was later
traced back to a four-inch gash in the plane's fuselage, caused by
an errant baggage loader who failed to report the accident.
"This ruling is a huge victory for the IAM, Air Transport
District 143 and all the hard working airline employees we
represent. The ruling sends a message to the airlines that they
must respect their workers and their union contracts," said Stephen
Gordon, president of IAM Air Transport District 143.
The federal arbitrator who decided the case considered the
parties' contract language, which permitted Alaska Airlines to
subcontract the ground handling work only if it was cheaper than
keeping the work in house.
The federal arbitrator directed Alaska and District 143 to work
together to determine the appropriate remedy for the contract
breach, but will take the matter up again if Alaska and District
143 are unable to agree on a resolution.
Air Transport District 143 represents 3,560 members on Alaska
Airlines.
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