Don't fly Northwest!

Jetlag · 08-25-2005, 09:36 PM

As I'm sure many of you have heard Northwest Airline mechanics have gone on strike the past week. They've employed a SCAB union (IAM) to bring in barely trained and partially knowledged scabs to fix their aircrafts. There have already been many long delays and cancellations due to the idiocy of these scabs. (6 guys to change a tire??)

This subject is very personal to me, as my father, who's been a NW mechanic for close to 20 years is now on strike. Northwest's demands are incredibly ridiculous and many speculate that NW chairmen let this happen to break up a real union and bring in SCAB union they know they can control. This will not only affect NW mechanics but other airlines will use this as a basis to break up their unions. The safety of the customers who fly NWA is very uncertain. So I implore you not to fly NWA. Thanks!

~Rob Donigian (Jetlag)

Jetfan16 · 08-25-2005, 10:45 PM

[QUOTE=Jetlag]As I'm sure many of you have heard Northwest Airline mechanics have gone on strike the past week. They've employed a SCAB union (IAM) to bring in barely trained and partially knowledged scabs to fix their aircrafts. There have already been many long delays and cancellations due to the idiocy of these scabs. (6 guys to change a tire??)

This subject is very personal to me, as my father, who's been a NW mechanic for close to 20 years is now on strike. Northwest's demands are incredibly ridiculous and many speculate that NW chairmen let this happen to break up a real union and bring in SCAB union they know they can control. This will not only affect NW mechanics but other airlines will use this as a basis to break up their unions. The safety of the customers who fly NWA is very uncertain. So I implore you not to fly NWA. Thanks!

~Rob Donigian (Jetlag)[/QUOTE]
that blows, good luck to your dad.

btw, did tex actually say that?

Jetlag · 08-25-2005, 10:51 PM

[QUOTE=Jetfan16

btw, did tex actually say that?[/QUOTE]

Thanks.

No, he didn't I just enjoy busting his chops.

Jetfan16 · 08-25-2005, 11:02 PM

[QUOTE=Jetlag]Thanks.

No, he didn't I just enjoy busting his chops.[/QUOTE]
****. i wouldve really looked forward to that, o well..

bitonti · 08-26-2005, 10:35 AM

Rob out of respect for our friendship i promise not to fly Northwest.

The shame here is that big labor is so effed up they won't stand with their brothers. I've heard it said that the union that represents these mechanics are considered "raiders" taking members away from other unions. It sounds messy but hopefully it get resolved in a positive fashion. In general the airline industry is a nightmare.

Piper · 08-26-2005, 12:05 PM

Northworst was a crappy airline already and now this?

who wants to go to Minnesota anyway?

Good luck to your dad.

Jetlag · 08-26-2005, 01:55 PM

[QUOTE=bitonti]Rob out of respect for our friendship i promise not to fly Northwest.

The shame here is that big labor is so effed up they won't stand with their brothers. I've heard it said that the union that represents these mechanics are considered "raiders" taking members away from other unions. It sounds messy but hopefully it get resolved in a positive fashion. In general the airline industry is a nightmare.[/QUOTE]

Thanks Matt and Piper.
IAM was the original union. They did a poor job of representing their members which is why they switched to AMFA. Now IAM is the union that is supplying NWA with all of these scabs. Coincindence? My belief is that Northwest views IAM more like a business partner then anything else and one that they can control.

jets5ever · 08-26-2005, 02:04 PM

Jetlag - out of curiosity, what are Northwest's demands?

bitonti · 08-26-2005, 02:13 PM

[QUOTE=jets5ever]Jetlag - out of curiosity, what are Northwest's demands?[/QUOTE]

im not jetlag but this is what I found.

[QUOTE]Of the 9,700 mechanics and other members of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) at Northwest four years ago, more than half have already been laid off. Now the company seeks to cut in half the remaining 4,400 jobs. It is demanding that workers take a 25 percent pay cut, a freeze in pensions, and an increase in subcontracting mechanics’ work. [/QUOTE]

jets5ever · 08-26-2005, 02:33 PM

[QUOTE=bitonti]im not jetlag but this is what I found.[/QUOTE]

Thanks Bitonti. I am assuming that Northwest's performance and profitability have been trending downwards steeply over the same period? (I'll check their financials in a bit...).

Hey Jetlag - how has NW been doing these last four years?

quantum · 08-26-2005, 02:37 PM

If thats what they're saying needs to be done to save the company, [B]AND management has to suffer also[/B], what can you do?

asuusa · 08-26-2005, 07:52 PM

NW is the only non-stop back to my home town, so until there's another, NW is it.

cr726 · 08-26-2005, 08:59 PM

[QUOTE=quantum]If thats what they're saying needs to be done to save the company, [B]AND management has to suffer also[/B], what can you do?[/QUOTE]

I am willing to bet that lower management is and has been suffering, but the CEO is living large with his/her top managers.

Jetlag · 08-26-2005, 11:50 PM

[QUOTE=jets5ever]Thanks Bitonti. I am assuming that Northwest's performance and profitability have been trending downwards steeply over the same period? (I'll check their financials in a bit...).

Hey Jetlag - how has NW been doing these last four years?[/QUOTE]

Many believe the company basically wants to go bankrupt so their CEO's can take the money and run. They've been doing just as well as all the other major airlines, which is not great but able to run.

Basically Bitonti nailed the demands. Plus the mechanics were told that their jobs weren't guarenteed even if they signed off. Anyone looking to get into that industry should certainly reconsider. I must say I'm not as brushed up on the subject as I should be, especially since my father is the union rep but basically their not getting a fair deal. Hell my father even told me that the union would have signed off on a cut in pay but the other stuff including a cut in most medical and not having guarenteed jobs basically pushed them over the edge. At the end of it my father told me "I'll basically have to pay them $10/hour just to work there."

This strike is huge for the entire the airline industry. If they lose, other airlines will follow suit. This could get ugly.

Savonarola · 08-28-2005, 11:10 AM

[QUOTE=jets5ever]Thanks Bitonti. I am assuming that Northwest's performance and profitability have been trending downwards steeply over the same period? (I'll check their financials in a bit...).

Hey Jetlag - how has NW been doing these last four years?[/QUOTE]

Not as good as they'll do in the next four years, once they get people who'll work for free.

Why do employees expect to be paid anyway?

quantum · 08-28-2005, 06:30 PM

[QUOTE=cr726]I am willing to bet that lower management is and has been suffering, but the CEO is living large with his/her top managers.[/QUOTE]

Probably - thats why they need to include shared pain in the agreement.

08-25-2005, 09:36 PM	#1
Jetlag M.I.A. Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 5,138	Don't fly Northwest! As I'm sure many of you have heard Northwest Airline mechanics have gone on strike the past week. They've employed a SCAB union (IAM) to bring in barely trained and partially knowledged scabs to fix their aircrafts. There have already been many long delays and cancellations due to the idiocy of these scabs. (6 guys to change a tire??) This subject is very personal to me, as my father, who's been a NW mechanic for close to 20 years is now on strike. Northwest's demands are incredibly ridiculous and many speculate that NW chairmen let this happen to break up a real union and bring in SCAB union they know they can control. This will not only affect NW mechanics but other airlines will use this as a basis to break up their unions. The safety of the customers who fly NWA is very uncertain. So I implore you not to fly NWA. Thanks! ~Rob Donigian (Jetlag)

08-25-2005, 10:45 PM	#2
Jetfan16 I believe you..... BUT MY TOMMY GUN DONT! Hall Of Fame Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 9,814	[QUOTE=Jetlag]As I'm sure many of you have heard Northwest Airline mechanics have gone on strike the past week. They've employed a SCAB union (IAM) to bring in barely trained and partially knowledged scabs to fix their aircrafts. There have already been many long delays and cancellations due to the idiocy of these scabs. (6 guys to change a tire??) This subject is very personal to me, as my father, who's been a NW mechanic for close to 20 years is now on strike. Northwest's demands are incredibly ridiculous and many speculate that NW chairmen let this happen to break up a real union and bring in SCAB union they know they can control. This will not only affect NW mechanics but other airlines will use this as a basis to break up their unions. The safety of the customers who fly NWA is very uncertain. So I implore you not to fly NWA. Thanks! ~Rob Donigian (Jetlag)[/QUOTE] that blows, good luck to your dad. btw, did tex actually say that?

08-25-2005, 10:51 PM	#3
Jetlag M.I.A. Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 5,138	[QUOTE=Jetfan16 btw, did tex actually say that?[/QUOTE] Thanks. No, he didn't I just enjoy busting his chops.

08-25-2005, 11:02 PM	#4
Jetfan16 I believe you..... BUT MY TOMMY GUN DONT! Hall Of Fame Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 9,814	[QUOTE=Jetlag]Thanks. No, he didn't I just enjoy busting his chops.[/QUOTE] ****. i wouldve really looked forward to that, o well..

08-26-2005, 10:35 AM	#5
bitonti searching Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Philly Posts: 38,786	Rob out of respect for our friendship i promise not to fly Northwest. The shame here is that big labor is so effed up they won't stand with their brothers. I've heard it said that the union that represents these mechanics are considered "raiders" taking members away from other unions. It sounds messy but hopefully it get resolved in a positive fashion. In general the airline industry is a nightmare.

08-26-2005, 12:05 PM	#6
Piper Hall Of Fame Charter JI Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: L.I. NY (where the Jets used to be from) Posts: 13,197	Northworst was a crappy airline already and now this? who wants to go to Minnesota anyway? Good luck to your dad.

08-26-2005, 01:55 PM	#7
Jetlag M.I.A. Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 5,138	[QUOTE=bitonti]Rob out of respect for our friendship i promise not to fly Northwest. The shame here is that big labor is so effed up they won't stand with their brothers. I've heard it said that the union that represents these mechanics are considered "raiders" taking members away from other unions. It sounds messy but hopefully it get resolved in a positive fashion. In general the airline industry is a nightmare.[/QUOTE] Thanks Matt and Piper. IAM was the original union. They did a poor job of representing their members which is why they switched to AMFA. Now IAM is the union that is supplying NWA with all of these scabs. Coincindence? My belief is that Northwest views IAM more like a business partner then anything else and one that they can control.

08-26-2005, 02:04 PM	#8
jets5ever Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Boston Posts: 11,692	Jetlag - out of curiosity, what are Northwest's demands?

08-26-2005, 02:13 PM	#9
bitonti searching Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Philly Posts: 38,786	[QUOTE=jets5ever]Jetlag - out of curiosity, what are Northwest's demands?[/QUOTE] im not jetlag but this is what I found. [QUOTE]Of the 9,700 mechanics and other members of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) at Northwest four years ago, more than half have already been laid off. Now the company seeks to cut in half the remaining 4,400 jobs. It is demanding that workers take a 25 percent pay cut, a freeze in pensions, and an increase in subcontracting mechanics’ work. [/QUOTE]

08-26-2005, 02:33 PM	#10
jets5ever Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Boston Posts: 11,692	[QUOTE=bitonti]im not jetlag but this is what I found.[/QUOTE] Thanks Bitonti. I am assuming that Northwest's performance and profitability have been trending downwards steeply over the same period? (I'll check their financials in a bit...). Hey Jetlag - how has NW been doing these last four years?

08-26-2005, 02:37 PM	#11
quantum GFY Snatchez! Hall Of Fame Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: LI Posts: 17,884	If thats what they're saying needs to be done to save the company, [B]AND management has to suffer also[/B], what can you do?

08-26-2005, 07:52 PM	#12
asuusa All Pro Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,171	NW is the only non-stop back to my home town, so until there's another, NW is it.

08-26-2005, 08:59 PM	#13
cr726 Jets Insider VIP Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,295	[QUOTE=quantum]If thats what they're saying needs to be done to save the company, [B]AND management has to suffer also[/B], what can you do?[/QUOTE] I am willing to bet that lower management is and has been suffering, but the CEO is living large with his/her top managers.

08-26-2005, 11:50 PM	#14
Jetlag M.I.A. Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 5,138	[QUOTE=jets5ever]Thanks Bitonti. I am assuming that Northwest's performance and profitability have been trending downwards steeply over the same period? (I'll check their financials in a bit...). Hey Jetlag - how has NW been doing these last four years?[/QUOTE] Many believe the company basically wants to go bankrupt so their CEO's can take the money and run. They've been doing just as well as all the other major airlines, which is not great but able to run. Basically Bitonti nailed the demands. Plus the mechanics were told that their jobs weren't guarenteed even if they signed off. Anyone looking to get into that industry should certainly reconsider. I must say I'm not as brushed up on the subject as I should be, especially since my father is the union rep but basically their not getting a fair deal. Hell my father even told me that the union would have signed off on a cut in pay but the other stuff including a cut in most medical and not having guarenteed jobs basically pushed them over the edge. At the end of it my father told me "I'll basically have to pay them $10/hour just to work there." This strike is huge for the entire the airline industry. If they lose, other airlines will follow suit. This could get ugly.

08-28-2005, 11:10 AM	#15
Savonarola Undrafted Free Agent Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 14	[QUOTE=jets5ever]Thanks Bitonti. I am assuming that Northwest's performance and profitability have been trending downwards steeply over the same period? (I'll check their financials in a bit...). Hey Jetlag - how has NW been doing these last four years?[/QUOTE] Not as good as they'll do in the next four years, once they get people who'll work for free. Why do employees expect to be paid anyway?

08-28-2005, 06:30 PM	#16
quantum GFY Snatchez! Hall Of Fame Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: LI Posts: 17,884	[QUOTE=cr726]I am willing to bet that lower management is and has been suffering, but the CEO is living large with his/her top managers.[/QUOTE] Probably - thats why they need to include shared pain in the agreement.