TWU - Local 514 mis--- informer Strikes Again

[FWAAA]

Maybe management does have it in for you. I don''t know.

What I do know is that I don''t think you were overpaid. Nobody at AA was overpaid.

That doesn''t mean that AA could afford you at the old wages, however. Big difference between saying someone is overpaid and admitting that the employer can no longer afford its employees.

That makes you underpaid now.

And I want AA''s employees to be highly paid.

Now that AA''s survival looks more certain, be sure to hit them up for raises next time (regardless of which union is stealing your dues for "representing you").

 

[RV4]

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On 6/5/2003 5:32:10 PM FWAAA wrote:

Maybe management does have it in for you. I don''t know.

What I do know is that I don''t think you were overpaid. Nobody at AA was overpaid.

That doesn''t mean that AA could afford you at the old wages, however. Big difference between saying someone is overpaid and admitting that the employer can no longer afford its employees.

That makes you underpaid now.

And I want AA''s employees to be highly paid.

Now that AA''s survival looks more certain, be sure to hit them up for raises next time (regardless of which union is stealing your dues for "representing you").



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You are correct, and we have a choice who we work for and what output is generated! It is an exchange of Labor for $$ remember? We do control one end of that exchange.

 

[RV4]

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On 6/5/2003 5:40:02 PM Checking it Out wrote:




TWU- HAS LIMITS ON OUTSOURCING IN THEIR LABOR AGREEMENT WITH PENELTIES PAID TO THE MEMBERSHIP.

What is the Limit? Article and Paragraph please?

TWU - CAN EVEN TELL YOU THE CURRENT TOTAL OUTSOURCE %

What is the current percentage? And is what is the formula that is used to determine and verify the limit? DO you hire ECLAT to verify company compliance? Or do you accept their word?

TWU - HAS A PENALTY IN PLACE FOR OUTSOURCE VIOLATIONS

What is the penalty? And what is the case number and date of your last received penalty Arbitration, what the amount awarded and WHO received the award?

TWU - OUR JOBS ARE LIMITED IN TULSA DUE TO THE F100 RETIREMENT

AMFA at Northwest suffered RIF's as a result of retired Aircraft also, does that count for them, or just you? In fact the base closures are NWA are a direct result of fleet reductions and retirements.

TWU – HAS AN RO COMMITTEE WORKING INSIDE OUR TURBINE BUILDING AND OTHER AREAS TO HELP PRESERVE OUR JOBS

I just spoke with two of those committeemen today, they disagree with you known percentages. They have no idea about a limit, and appear very frustrated at the inability of the TWU to get work in house that can even be proven to save AA money.

TWU - IS CURRENTLY WORKING UNDER THE ARBITRATOR DECISSION TO HELP REPRESENT THE MEMBERSHIP

What are you talking about? This statement puzzles me. I was talking about your need to replace the Arbitrator when the company kicks your asses in Arbitration. Have you ever considered that is isn;t the Arbitrator that needs to be replaced? I have.

TWU - JUST SIGNED A CONTRACT THAT HELPS MORE MEMBERS RECEIVE A PAYCHECK WITH A VOTE OF THE MEMBERS

Why not shoot for $7.00 per hour and hire more? Where do you draw the line? If all you want is a paycheck, go to work for Walmart or McDonalds instead of leading the industry wage and benefit structure in reverse!

TWU - IS INTERESTED IN POLITICS IN ORDER TO HELP MORE MEMBERS IN WAGES, BENEFITS, AND WORKING CONDITIONS WHILE RECEIVING A PAYCHECK

Details Please? So the TWU is fighting to lower wages and benefits and the politicians are trying to reverse your ignorance? Now that really makes us all feel safe and secure.

TWU - IS WORKING WITH AA ON STOPPING THE CLOSURE OF MAINTENANCE BASES JUST AS OTHER UNIONS HAVE FAILED IN THIS ENDEAVOR

What are you going to do now? Sign another Concession to save a whole base? Where do you draw the line? What base are you working with AA to save? I didn't know they announced the plan yet?

TWU - HAS RE-CALL RIGHTS OF LOCAL UNION OFFICERS WITHOUT LIMITS

Whew, wouldn't want to lose one of them! They are so productive!

TWU - LOCAL 514 OFFICERS REPORT TO WORK TO CARRY THEIR LOAD, AA PAYS THEM TO REPRESENT THE MEMBERS AND ALLOWS OTHER MEMBERS TO HELP

That's Bull$hit and you know it! Every elected officer fails daily to produce one part. They are too busy running around spreading lies about others and defending Jim "without further ratification" Little.

TWU - ONLY UNION IN THE INDUSTRY WITH AN OSM PAYSCALE WHICH IS SUBSTANCIALLY HIGHER THAN OTHER FBO’S DOING THE SAME WORK

OH, so instead of outsource, you bring the vendor wages and benefits inside to collect dues from those workers? Show us the FBO payscale that the OSM is exceeding?

TWU - HAS 6 YEAR MECHANICS MAKING APROX. $17.00 PER HOUR WITH ELIGIBILTY TO TOP OUT OVER 30 DOLLARS

When? 2009? AMFA members make that right now. In fact, every major airline has an entry level payrate that exceeds most of the Tulsa employees current pay status.

TWU - CALLED FLEX BENEFITS AN IMPROVEMENT OVER OTHER MEDICAL PLANS

OH really? You mean the one that was fully funded by the company?

TWU – MEMBERS GAVE UP VACATION AND HOLIDAYS WITH THEIR FAMILIES TO ENSURE A PAYCHECK AND NOW IS WORKING WITH LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO EARN TIME OFF WITH THEIR FAMILIES

TWU Members gave up nothing, it was stolen "without further ratification"

TWU - WANTS YOU TO FOCUS ON NORTHWEST TO ENSURE THE SCREWING THEY HAVE RECEIVED DOES NOT HAPPEN AT AA

Time will tell! It is the TWU Concession that all airline management teams are talking about needing to compete with. Who is leading the industry in reverse?

TWU - DOES CARE THAT MEMBERS ARE FILING BANKRUPTCY AND LOSING THEIR POSESSIONS AND IS WORKING WITH UNITED WAY ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP

How does United Way help this mess? I hear one poor soul has already taken his own life. Can United Way stop that sad activity also? May God forgive him and his family heal.

TWU - IS ONE OF THE MOST ACTIVE UNIONS IN HELPING THEIR UNION BROTHERS AND SISTERS
Yep, while actively printing and wearing t-shirts admitting to being the carriers real strength!

TWU = AAmerican's Real Strength


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[RUM@AA]

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On 6/5/2003 5:40:02 PM Checking it Out wrote:


 

TWU- HAS LIMITS ON OUTSOURCING IN THEIR LABOR AGREEMENT WITH PENELTIES PAID TO THE MEMBERSHIP.
What B.S. "It is understood that nothing in this article guarantees the maintenance of the present volume of work" (from the TWU/AA scope clause) And if you read on in the contract you'll find that as long as the total outsourced doesn't exceed the amount done in house, the contract is being followed. That equals 49.9% can be outsourced.
TWU - CAN EVEN TELL YOU THE CURRENT TOTAL OUTSOURCE %
Yes, K. Gormanns told us all at the AMFA info meeting that the current Outsource Total is 38%. Bet he got his ass chewed for that.
TWU - HAS A PENALTY IN PLACE FOR OUTSOURCE VIOLATIONS
Pretty hard to exceed 49.9% I would think.
TWU - OUR JOBS ARE LIMITED IN TULSA DUE TO THE F100 RETIREMENT
Again, when NWA lays-off due to fleet retirement, you say it's AMFA's fault. But it's ok for the TWU?
TWU – HAS AN RO COMMITTEE WORKING INSIDE OUR TURBINE BUILDING AND OTHER AREAS TO HELP PRESERVE OUR JOBS
Oh and they're doing a bang-up job. Yeah, right.
TWU - IS CURRENTLY WORKING UNDER THE ARBITRATOR DECISSION TO HELP REPRESENT THE MEMBERSHIP
That means nothing
TWU - JUST SIGNED A CONTRACT THAT HELPS MORE MEMBERS RECEIVE A PAYCHECK WITH A VOTE OF THE MEMBERS
Except 3200 members that couldn't get a PIN
TWU - IS INTERESTED IN POLITICS IN ORDER TO HELP MORE MEMBERS IN  WAGES, BENEFITS, AND WORKING CONDITIONS WHILE RECEIVING A PAYCHECK
TWU is interested in politics in order to help liberal socialists convert America from Capitalist to Socialist. Wake up!
TWU - IS WORKING WITH AA ON STOPPING THE CLOSURE OF MAINTENANCE BASES JUST AS OTHER UNIONS HAVE FAILED IN THIS ENDEAVOR
Oh NO! Not another deal with American. We can't afford another deal from you idiots!!
TWU - HAS  RE-CALL RIGHTS OF LOCAL UNION OFFICERS WITHOUT LIMITS
Bullshit!! Not since article 22 was removed in 1997. Any other recall of local officers must be approved by the E-board. Can you spell "Good ole boy network"???
TWU - LOCAL 514 OFFICERS REPORT TO WORK TO CARRY THEIR LOAD, AA PAYS THEM TO REPRESENT THE MEMBERS AND ALLOWS OTHER MEMBERS TO HELP
Oh and they're doing a bang-up job. Yeah, right.
TWU - ONLY UNION IN THE INDUSTRY WITH AN OSM PAYSCALE WHICH IS SUBSTANCIALLY HIGHER THAN OTHER FBO’S DOING THE SAME WORK
Thanks for filling our profession with upgraded bathroom cleaners. Those were all A&P Mechanic's jobs until you a##holes screwed it up. In-house farm out is all the OSM program is. Another SELL-OUT FOR DUES MONEY! You guys suck!
TWU - CALLED FLEX BENEFITS AN IMPROVEMENT OVER OTHER MEDICAL PLANS
Oh yes, I like it much better than when we didn't have to pay for it at all. This is much better. Is it ok with you if I pay even more??
TWU – MEMBERS GAVE UP VACATION AND HOLIDAYS WITH THEIR FAMILIES TO ENSURE A PAYCHECK AND NOW IS WORKING WITH LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO EARN TIME OFF WITH THEIR FAMILIES
Please, stop negotiating. We don't need another SELL-OUT
TWU - WANTS YOU TO FOCUS ON NORTHWEST TO ENSURE THE SCREWING THEY HAVE RECEIVED DOES NOT HAPPEN AT AA
TWU wants you to focus on Northwest because 6475 of you have signed AMFA cards. TWU doesn't want you to focus on Southwest because AMFA is in there and they are talking about starting to do their own heavey maintenance. Shhhhh, don't tell anyone.
TWU - DOES CARE THAT MEMBERS ARE FILING BANKRUPTCY AND LOSING THEIR POSESSIONS AND IS WORKING WITH UNITED WAY ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP
They feel your pain. Yeah, right.
TWU - IS ONE OF THE MOST ACTIVE UNIONS IN HELPING THEIR UNION BROTHERS AND SISTERS
Oh and they're doing a bang-up job. Yeah, right.

TWU SOLIDARITY!

NO SUCH THING

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[James T. Kirk]

Mechanics union to contest Northwest''s layoff plans
Liz Fedor, Star Tribune

Published March 25, 2003 NWA25

Leaders of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) said Monday they will challenge Northwest Airlines'' attempt to invoke a clause in their contract that allows the company to ignore some contract elements during extraordinary events.

The Eagan-based carrier said Friday that it will cut 4,900 jobs in the coming weeks, including about 2,000 mechanics jobs.

Jeff Mathews, AMFA''s contract coordinator, said "as soon as the company violates the contract, we will file grievances."

Mathews said he asked Northwest''s management to provide him with some evidence to substantiate the need to lay off so many mechanics under the so-called "force majeure" clause but said he hasn''t received the data yet.

He contends that Northwest leaders are simply pursuing their own agenda of aggressive cost cutting. "The layoffs were very well planned. They are not caused by this conflict in Iraq," Mathews said.

Northwest President Doug Steenland said the war in Iraq is a legitimate use of the "force majeure" clause, which also was used after the 2001 terrorist attacks.

"Force majeure is designed to permit a company to adjust for circumstances that are completely outside of the company''s control and that are viewed as truly extraordinary circumstances," Steenland said in a Friday interview with the Star Tribune.

Force majeure is a legal term that is included in a labor contract, and it allows employers to ignore certain elements of the pact when major events occur. The contracts specify which provisions are affected when force majeure is invoked.

In labor agreements, "we can''t use force majeure to adjust pay rates, but we can use force majeure to adjust things like no layoff provisions," Steenland said.

Northwest saw a "material decline" in bookings before the conflict began and an even greater dropoff after military action commenced, he said.

The "prudent thing for the airline as a whole and for the employees" was to address that passenger decline as quickly as possible, he said.


"By adjusting the size of the airline and taking airplanes out of service we are better matching the [flight] capacity that we have with the demand that we see," Steenland said. "By taking this action, we are reducing the size of losses that we otherwise would incur." Northwest lost $1.2 billion during the past two years.

When the company invoked the force majeure clause after the terrorist attacks, AMFA filed a grievance. Mathews said that matter is unresolved but awaiting action before an arbitrator.

Jim Atkinson, president of AMFA Local 33, which represents Twin Cities-based mechanics, said he has assured members that AMFA will aggressively pursue a grievance in response to the latest round of layoffs.

Also, he said, "We are going to stand firm on our stance of no concessions." The company is seeking permanent wage and benefit cuts from workers remaining on the payroll.

In a meeting with Northwest management, Atkinson said he was told that the airline has the power to exceed contract limits on outsourcing maintenance work. Currently, some Northwest maintenance work is done by outside vendors in the United States and Asia. "Our group is extremely upset over this whole farm-out thing," Atkinson said.

As the airlines seek federal aid, he said, union members find it "very disheartening" that Northwest would "choose to lay off American workers while they continue to support overseas workers." Northwest declined comment on that issue Monday.

Liz Fedor is at [email protected].

 

[James T. Kirk]

Northwest''s unions scrutinize pilot cost-cutting package
Liz Fedor, Star Tribune

Published Mar. 1, 2003 NWA01

A Teamsters official said Friday that Northwest Airlines'' proposal to cut pilot labor costs by 37 percent "kind of takes your breath away."

Mollie Reiley, trustee of Teamsters Local 2000, which represents flight attendants, said, "We are all pretty sobered up by it."

The pilots'' union was the first labor group approached by Northwest management for major wage and benefit concessions, and the company intends to meet with its other unions in coming weeks.

Management''s dramatic proposal, which would reduce pilot labor costs by $2.76 billion over 6 1/2 years, engendered reactions of quiet determination, frustration and outrage by leaders of Northwest''s largest unions.

Representatives from the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) were restrained in their assessment of the pilot proposal, which would cut wages by 17.4 percent and increase pilot layoffs by 343.


The company''s sweeping changes "look like normal contract negotiation openers," said AMFA spokesman Jeff Mathews. "Ours were just as ugly" when AMFA negotiated its last contract, he said.

Jim Atkinson, president of AMFA Local 33, said his members don''t believe they are in danger of imminent pay cuts because they have a contract that runs through 2005. AMFA represents about 3,700 mechanics, 260 airplane cleaners and 40 custodians.

"From the information we are getting about Northwest, they are not in dire straits," Atkinson said. The Eagan-based carrier has stronger cash reserves than other airlines, so Atkinson believes it is well-positioned to emerge as a survivor in the financially ailing airline industry.

The Teamsters'' Reiley, who represents about 11,000 flight attendants, said company management should do a better job of connecting with its workers. "I don''t see Northwest doing anything to garner trust from the employees and support other than just putting out cold, dry facts. And unfortunately, some of those we''re not getting," Reiley said.

"If you want people to trust you and believe in you, you need to be forthcoming," she said. The Teamsters have been contacted by management to hear its briefings on Northwest''s financial condition.

The Teamsters contract does not open until June 2005. "We have agreed to listen to what their presentation is. That is all I''m going to commit to at this point," Reiley said.

Bobby DePace, president of District 143 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), said his union is scheduled to meet with Northwest executives in mid-March to hear a financial presentation.

On Tuesday, IAM negotiators began talks with Northwest on a contract that will affect about 17,000 ground workers. "It was very short and abrupt," DePace said, referring to the exchange of opening proposals.

The company is seeking cuts in benefits for IAM workers, but it has not made any wage offers. "I''m not very optimistic," DePace said.

He was incensed by the content of the pilots'' concession package. "Plain and simple, I think it''s absurd," DePace said.

And he wonders what''s in the pipeline for the IAM. "There isn''t anything that we see that could be fair as far as us giving anything back," DePace said. "Is Northwest going to ask our clerical people, who make $10 an hour, for a 17 percent pay cut?"

Curt Kruse, a spokesman for the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), said Northwest pilots are not prejudging the company request.

"Our pilots are very analytical," he said. "We respond to collective bargaining situations the way we respond to situations in an airplane. We determine what''s really going on and then we implement the best course of action."

-- Liz Fedor is at [email protected].

 

[James T. Kirk]

Northwest to close maintenance operations in four cities
Liz Fedor
Star Tribune

Published Jan. 28, 2003 NWA28
Northwest Airlines confirmed Monday that it will transfer some DC-9 maintenance work from an Alabama contractor to Northwest mechanics stationed in the Twin Cities.
The Eagan-based carrier also pledged to keep Northwest mechanics jobs in Duluth instead of relocating some to the Twin Cities.
In another restructuring move, Northwest said it will close maintenance sites in Phoenix, Portland, Ore., Miami and Tampa, Fla.
The closures will affect about 60 mechanics.
Based on their union contract, mechanics working in those four cities can exercise their seniority rights and relocate to other jobs in the Northwest system.
Northwest spokesman Bill Mellon said he doesn''t expect the decisions to trigger an increase or decrease in the size of the mechanic workforce. Instead, he said, the changes are being made "to use our people and other resources as efficiently as we can based on the amount of flying that we forecast for 2003."
However, Jim Atkinson, president of Local 33 of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), said closure of maintenance operations in the southern U.S. cities might prompt some mechanics to retire or find other jobs outside Northwest.
"We lost a third of the workforce from the Atlanta shutdown," Atkinson said. In mid-October, Northwest announced it would close the Atlanta base and consolidate DC-9 operations in the Twin Cities. That facility employed about 1,200 mechanics, and Mellon said about one-third decided to take layoffs rather than move to the Twin Cities or other Northwest stations.
Some who elected to move chose Miami, Tampa or Phoenix, Atkinson said. "Now they are faced with their second move," he said. "Each time there is a disruption like this in their lives, it makes it difficult to justify staying in this business."
In Duluth, there are some changes afoot in Northwest''s operation, but they are not as dramatic as earlier rumored. Mechanics in Duluth work on Airbus A319s and A320s. AMFA union leaders notified their members that Northwest considered moving an Airbus maintenance check line from Duluth to Minneapolis.
Instead, management decided the two Airbus maintenance lines in Duluth will remain there at least through December of this year. But Northwest will convert the Duluth facility from a five-day to seven-day operation. Instead of allowing the planes to sit idle two days a week, Atkinson said, Northwest wants the planes to move out of the facility more quickly.
By achieving a quicker turnaround, the planes can be put back into service more rapidly and generating revenue for Northwest.
Last Tuesday, Northwest reported that it lost $798 million last year.
-- Liz Fedor is at [email protected].

 

[RV4]

Look at that!

Instead of answering the questions, CIO now shows up as JAMES T. KIRK and finally admits that NWA Management is who is responsible for invoking force majeure and that ALL unions on the property are having to challenge management,

Hey Kirk,

Maybe the TWU could go up there and organize the NWA mechanics, pilots, and flight attendants, using the philosophy "JUST TAKE MASSIVE PAY AND BENEFIT CONCESSIONS WITH US AND WE WILL SAVE YOUR JOB"! Should be a piece of cake right?

 

[Bob Owens]

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On 6/5/2003 5:40:02 PM Checking it Out wrote:




TWU - HAS RE-CALL RIGHTS OF LOCAL UNION OFFICERS WITHOUT LIMITS

Could you be a little more specific? Where is this right? And what about International officers-the custodians of the contract?


TWU - ONLY UNION IN THE INDUSTRY WITH AN OSM PAYSCALE WHICH IS SUBSTANCIALLY HIGHER THAN OTHER FBO’S DOING THE SAME WORK

You are bragging that an airline pays FBO competative wages at the expense of underbidding all other airlines?

TWU - HAS 6 YEAR MECHANICS MAKING APROX. $17.00 PER HOUR WITH ELIGIBILTY TO TOP OUT OVER 30 DOLLARS

Is that good. Dont most airline mechanics top out in 5 years at over $30. You are saying that we have 6 year mechanics making half of what they would at other airlines.


TWU – MEMBERS GAVE UP VACATION AND HOLIDAYS WITH THEIR FAMILIES TO ENSURE A PAYCHECK AND NOW IS WORKING WITH LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO EARN TIME OFF WITH THEIR FAMILIES

You mean comp time? The AFL-CIO was able to just block that bill, do you mean that you are working to pass it?

TWU - WANTS YOU TO FOCUS ON NORTHWEST TO ENSURE THE SCREWING THEY HAVE RECEIVED DOES NOT HAPPEN AT AA

Well lets see what happens over time. As it is this agreement has given me a two year layoff. The amount of money I'm losing, despite my seniority is the equivilent of being laid off for two years.

TWU - DOES CARE THAT MEMBERS ARE FILING BANKRUPTCY AND LOSING THEIR POSESSIONS AND IS WORKING WITH UNITED WAY ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP

What are you doing with that $10 million in the bank you have?

TWU SOLIDARITY!

"We got the majority so nobody else matters"
"Even though we dont care about you its wrong for you to not support us with paycuts, you all should be willing to work 2nd and 3rd jobs to keep us working and living like Kings, because Tulsa is King, thats TwUsoLidarity"! Just ask Randy!



Given the History of the TWU, one which had its roots in the courageous defiance of the near powerless against seemingly insurmountable opposition you really have to wonder how far off the organization has strayed when one of their locals puts out a Newsletter called "The informer". Goes to show how well the educational system within the Union is working.
Unionism in the Transit industry was undone time and time again by "the informer". The only reason why the TWU was successful at overcoming the bosses and their informers was by using organizational tactics used by the IRA in their struggles against the Brittish, who thanks to the desperate poverty they perpetuated in Ireland were always able to find someone desperate and despicable enough to become an informer.To be called an informer is worse than being a scab, because at least a scab could not hide his crime. Informer is a word that would inspire hatred in the hearts of the most noble and pius man. There is only one thing lower than a scab, and thats 'the informer".
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[Buck]

And do you think that any of these actions were brought about by the agreements of the AA/TWU?

 

[James T. Kirk]

Dow Jones Business News
Northwest Air Mechanics Claim Job-Cut Plan is Unjustified
Tuesday April 15, 12:01 am ET


MINNEAPOLIS -- Northwest Airlines Corp. (NasdaqNM:NWAC - News) wants to eliminate another 1, 000 jobs held by mechanics, custodians and cleaners and give substantial pay cuts to those who remain on the payroll, an airline union said Monday.
Jeff Mathews, contract coordinator for the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, characterized Northwest''s proposal as "shocking" and "unjustified."

The proposal would cut the base pay of mechanics by 16.7% and the base pay of cleaners and custodians by 10.6%. AMFA''s current contract runs through May 2005, and the Northwest proposal would abolish a 4% pay increase that''s set to take effect in May 2004.

Last month, CEO Richard Anderson said the company would cut 4,900 jobs in response to a drop-off in passengers related to the war in Iraq. Then, the company said it would cut 2,000 mechanic jobs. Many of those mechanics have received furlough notices.

In its proposal Monday, Mr. Mathews said, Northwest is attempting to eliminate another 900 mechanic jobs.

Northwest, which also has hubs in Detroit and Memphis, began meeting with its labor unions in late February to seek major cuts in its labor costs. Northwest spokesman Bill Mellon said the overarching goal is "to convey to each of the unions changes that we feel are necessary for the long-term viability of Northwest."

Northwest lost about $1.2 billion during the past two years, and the airline will release its first-quarter loss figure on Wednesday. During the first quarter, passenger traffic has been hurt by the war in Iraq and concerns over the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome.

On Monday, AMFA said Northwest management revealed it wants to cut AMFA- represented labor groups by $173 million a year.

Besides slashing jobs and pay rates, AMFA said Northwest wants to raise the ceiling on outsourcing mechanic work. Currently, the company is limited to shifting 38% of maintenance work to outside vendors. The company proposal calls for raising that ceiling to 48%.

Currently the company contracts with companies in Asia and the United States to perform maintenance work.

"We have repeatedly urged Northwest to return home the increasing amount of maintenance work they have been assigning to foreign repair stations," Mr. Mathews said.

Mr. Mathews said labor leaders met Monday with Robert Brodin, a Northwest senior vice president who oversees labor relations. "In his opinion, this is what they need to do to avoid bankruptcy. That''s the only rationale that he presented to us," Mr. Mathews said.

Northwest''s Mellon didn''t address specifics in management''s proposal. But he described the Monday meeting with AMFA as the "second round of discussions with each of our labor union leaders."

Mr. Mellon said the company plans to "talk to all seven unions as quickly as possible."

 

[RV4]

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On 6/7/2003 1015 AM Buck wrote:

And do you think that any of these actions were brought about by the agreements of the AA/TWU?

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I DO!

It is commonly referred to as:

Industry Leading Concessions

And now our fellow professionals are forced to follow. How long did it take? 18 Months for the TWU to reverse the gains made by the sacrifice of the NWA/AMFA Mechanics, while taking their fight to the Presidential Emergency Board.

Instead of "leap frog" negotiations, now the industry is back to facing "Chase the Losers" to the Concession Arena. And those losers everyone chases is once again the TWU!

 

[RV4]

Where did all the TWU defenders go?