- Apr 4, 2004
- 68
- 13
August 31, 2005
REVIEW & OUTLOOK
Strikingly Misguided
August 31, 2005; Page A8
More than a week into the first major carrier strike in the U.S. in seven
years, Northwest Airlines is showing every sign of surviving. At this point,
some 4,400 mechanics and aircraft cleaners ought to be asking some hard
questions of the union leadership that handed them their picket signs.
By the end of last week, Northwest had announced that its flightcancellation
rates and number of planes out of service had recovered to
acceptable levels. Northwest's replacement workers allowed the airline to
complete 98% of its scheduled flights on Friday, and the carrier is in a
position to begin permanently hiring them. Now the talk is that Northwest
may break the strike.
Whatever the outcome, it's evident that the losers in this confrontation have
been the rank and file of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, led
by AMFA chief O.V. Delle-Femine, who pushed the strike strategy. But
Northwest had spent months preparing for this eventuality. The employment
market was full of able aircraft mechanics who were willing to cross picket
lines for a job. Other unions that had already come to terms with the
economic realities of this industry and the potential for a Chapter 11 filing
showed little support.
As is often the case with strikes, Mr. Delle-Femine didn't give his rank and
file an opportunity to vote on Northwest's final offer before he called the
strike. The union has no strike fund, and employees are receiving their last
paychecks. Health-care benefits run out tomorrow. What was AMFA
thinking?
Whether Northwest will survive a brutal airline environment is unclear. What
is clear is that AMFA's leadership has ensured that many employees won't
be around to share in any future success.
REVIEW & OUTLOOK
Strikingly Misguided
August 31, 2005; Page A8
More than a week into the first major carrier strike in the U.S. in seven
years, Northwest Airlines is showing every sign of surviving. At this point,
some 4,400 mechanics and aircraft cleaners ought to be asking some hard
questions of the union leadership that handed them their picket signs.
By the end of last week, Northwest had announced that its flightcancellation
rates and number of planes out of service had recovered to
acceptable levels. Northwest's replacement workers allowed the airline to
complete 98% of its scheduled flights on Friday, and the carrier is in a
position to begin permanently hiring them. Now the talk is that Northwest
may break the strike.
Whatever the outcome, it's evident that the losers in this confrontation have
been the rank and file of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, led
by AMFA chief O.V. Delle-Femine, who pushed the strike strategy. But
Northwest had spent months preparing for this eventuality. The employment
market was full of able aircraft mechanics who were willing to cross picket
lines for a job. Other unions that had already come to terms with the
economic realities of this industry and the potential for a Chapter 11 filing
showed little support.
As is often the case with strikes, Mr. Delle-Femine didn't give his rank and
file an opportunity to vote on Northwest's final offer before he called the
strike. The union has no strike fund, and employees are receiving their last
paychecks. Health-care benefits run out tomorrow. What was AMFA
thinking?
Whether Northwest will survive a brutal airline environment is unclear. What
is clear is that AMFA's leadership has ensured that many employees won't
be around to share in any future success.
