Ummm, Don't Look Now

[FA Mikey]

union web site

Flight attendants at Northwest Airlines Corp. rejected a wage-cutting contract on Monday and threatened job actions if Northwest imposes a new contract on them -- which could happen as early as Tuesday.

Association of Flight Attendants spokeswoman Corey Caldwell said the union expects Northwest to impose a contract on Tuesday. If it does, she said the union would implement job actions that can include random work stoppages or a full-fledged strike.

 

[Hackman]

union web site

Flight attendants at Northwest Airlines Corp. rejected a wage-cutting contract on Monday and threatened job actions if Northwest imposes a new contract on them -- which could happen as early as Tuesday.

Association of Flight Attendants spokeswoman Corey Caldwell said the union expects Northwest to impose a contract on Tuesday. If it does, she said the union would implement job actions that can include random work stoppages or a full-fledged strike.

Shut Scab Air Down NOW!!!! Park aircraft in Dougies' [deleted]!!!!

 

[jimntx]

Ok, so now we have established that there is at least one union group at NW beside AMFA that has some guts. I wish all of you the best.

 

[FA Mikey]

story here

"We reached a consensual agreement with the new union recently chosen by our flight attendants and had hoped that Northwest flight attendants would ratify the agreement."

On July 6, the National Mediation Board announced that Northwest flight attendants voted to have the AFA-CWA replace the Professional Flight Attendants Association (PFAA) as the flight attendants' bargaining organization.

Becker continued, "Notwithstanding the results of the flight attendants' contract vote, Northwest must continue to move forward with its restructuring efforts. As previously approved by the court, we now are implementing new contract terms and conditions for our flight attendants which are consistent with the judge's order and with the March 1 tentative contract agreement which was not ratified. This action will result in the required $195 million in annual savings."

In late June, Judge Allan L. Gropper of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York granted the airline's 1113© motion to reject its contract with flight attendants. The airline was given authorization to implement the terms of an earlier tentative agreement that it reached with PFAA in March.

 

[exnw]

Ok, so now we have established that there is at least one union group at NW beside AMFA that has some guts. I wish all of you the best.

This is a sad day for NW. The executives who are running
things cannot understand that a 21 percent paycut on top
of freezing pensions and increasing medical payments
for the employees can only go so far.
The flight attendants and mechanics have both said
enough is enough.

 

[PHLfa88]

This is a sad day for NW. The executives who are running
things cannot understand that a 21 percent paycut on top
of freezing pensions and increasing medical payments
for the employees can only go so far.
The flight attendants and mechanics have both said
enough is enough.

Good Luck! I Think Your Going TO Need It!!

 

[JAMAKE1]

Wow. I am actually quite surprised. From what I had read of the tentative, it sounded as if the newly-appointed AFA Negotiating Committee had addressed the key issues that led to the first TA being rejected. Perhaps the corportate culture at NWA is such that it appears the job as a NWA F/A is no longer worth while (under a concessionary contract). The cards are stacked against the F/A's this time, but I wish them the best of luck. :unsure:

 

[IORFA]

I have a week off and am available to picket. Please post any public information regarding any protests.

 

[JAMAKE1]

I have two months off and I'm available to picket as well. But what is with the AFA giving NWA management 15 days notice when the imposed contract starts tomorrow? I say, "STRIKE!" and mean it, if they are going to publicly threaten CHAOS. :angry:

 

[ThirdSeatHero]

This is a sad day for NW. The executives who are running
things cannot understand that a 21 percent paycut on top
of freezing pensions and increasing medical payments
for the employees can only go so far.
The flight attendants and mechanics have both said
enough is enough.

Agreed.

I salute the NWA FAs for taking their stance in the face of daunting adversity. All the best in your fight ahead.

 

[justanadd]

To: All Flight Attendants
From: Doug Steenland
Date: July 31, 2006


The Tentative Agreement reached between the AFA and NWA on July 17, 2006, has
failed to be ratified by a majority of flight attendants. Unfortunately,
circumstances now dictate that the Company reject the existing Flight
Attendant Agreement and impose the March 1, 2006, Tentative Agreement as
authorized by the Bankruptcy Court on June 30, 2006. This change becomes
effective today, July 31, 2006.

I wanted to provide you with some context for this rejection decision, and
also update you on what you can expect over the next several days.

First, this was a result that the Company hoped to avoid. Throughout the
negotiating process, first with the PFAA and then with the AFA, our goal
remained to reach a consensual agreement and thereby avoid rejection of the
contract. However, after two failed Tentative Agreements, it is clear that
there are no easy or quick ways to reach this goal and at the same time
achieve the total labor cost savings which NWA needs to successfully emerge
from bankruptcy. These surrounding circumstances, and the Court’s ruling, now
require implementation of the March 1st Tentative Agreement for the following
reasons.

After filing Chapter 11 in September 2005, the Company set specific labor cost
reduction targets for each employee group, including management. These labor
costs savings totaled $1.4 billon annually; the amount determined by the
Company, and agreed to by the Bankruptcy Court, to be a necessary part of a
viable five year business plan.

Management experienced two rounds of cuts, first in December 2004, and then in
December 2005, hitting the necessary target.

The Company also negotiated with each of its unions to achieve their targets
through voluntary agreements. In November 2005, it reached permanent ratified
agreements with ATSA, NAMA and TWU. As those agreements became effective on
November 16, 2005, the Company also implemented emergency temporary relief
measures with the IAM, ALPA and PFAA. The temporary relief, however, provides
only 60% of the necessary savings amount.

Negotiations continued into 2006, before, during and after trials in New York
City on the Company’s motions to reject its labor agreements. As of June 9,
ratified agreements had been reached with ALPA and the IAM which provide the
targeted savings. Those agreements, however, contain language that prevents
the Company from implementing the agreed-to savings until the necessary
savings targets have been achieved from all groups, including the flight
attendants.

The need to proceed with restructuring, and to realize the savings which have
already been delayed, means that the Company must now go forward with
unilateral imposition of the March 1 Tentative Agreement pursuant to the
Court’s order. Vice President – Inflight Services, Suzanne Boda, will provide
you with specific information regarding initial changes within a few hours.
The ALPA and IAM agreements will also be implemented today.

Some things will not change, however. Bidding will still be accomplished
through the use of seniority. Reductions in force, when necessary, will still
take place in reverse seniority order. Many other work rules will also remain
in place.

I regret that we were unable to resolve the required flight attendant savings
through a consensual agreement at this time. I know there is a great deal of
tension and uncertainty on the line. I have personally observed, however,
that the circumstances have not affected the level of service you provide to
our customers, and I thank each of you for your continued professionalism.
Although imposition is necessary now in order to secure the successful
restructuring of the airline, we will continue to make every effort to reach a
new agreement with your elected representatives as quickly as possible.

 

[hp_fa]

I must admit that I am surprised. Pleasently surprised, but surprised. I did not think that they had the stomach for this, but someone really needed to do it.

If any of you NW FA's live in the PHX area and get short of food during a strike or lockout, send me a PM. I was a member of AFA and I will try to help.

 

[hp_fa]

It appears that the new AFA members at NW have rejected their contract by around 600 votes. This could get interesting.

My best to you all.

Link

 

[USCREW]

It appears that the new AFA members at NW have rejected their contract by around 600 votes. This could get interesting.

My best to you all.

SOLIDARITY NW.

 

[jimntx]

Dallas-area NW flight attendants. PM me if I can help in any way.