Amfa Wins Arbitration

[Decision 2004]

Northwest Air to restore about 150 mechanic jobs
Monday June 14, 3:31 pm ET


CHICAGO, June 14 (Reuters) - An arbitration board ruled on Monday that Northwest Airlines (NasdaqNM:NWAC - News) must restore the jobs of about 150 aircraft mechanics laid off after the Iraq war and the SARS outbreak last year, according to the mechanics union.

The ruling also opened the way for additional jobs to be restored after the effects of the Iraq war and SARS are over, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association said in a statement.

A Northwest spokesman did not have an immediate comment.

AMFA had filed a class-action grievance opposing the layoffs of the workers.

The arbitration board ruled that Northwest's removal of 11 747 aircraft from service in August 2003 was not caused by a "force majeure" emergency, and that related layoffs therefore violated the job security provisions of the labor contract between Northwest and the mechanics.

Therefore, mechanics laid off on that basis must be given their jobs back with full back pay and benefits, according to the ruling. AMFA said it expects the ruling to affect about 150 mechanics.

Force majeure clauses in airline labor agreements give carriers the flexibility to lay off workers without adhering to strict seniority provisions during unexpected crises.

The union and Northwest will have 60 days to develop a plan for determining the exact number of mechanics who were laid off unfairly and restore them to their positions, AMFA said. The board will oversee the process for six months and resolve any individual issues.

 

[Decision 2004]

This is Force Majuere II and 150 Mechanics coming back right now with full back pay, and a 60 day window to bring the rest of the laid-off mechanics back to work.

Details are still coming in and I will update you as I get information.

There are 11 747's involved and this is a substantial number of employees.

 

[PRINCESS KIDAGAKASH]

Hey TWU supporters,when is our 29d grievence at AA gonna be heard? AMFA mechanics come back with full pay and benefits , while TWU mechanics don't come back at all :down: . If AA mechanics do somehow how get back, they will work for minimum wages and benefits .

 

[Decision 2004]

Associated Press
Northwest Airlines Told to Restore Jobs
Monday June 14, 3:01 pm ET
Northwest Airlines Told to Restore Jobs, Give Back-Pay to 150 Mechanics Laid Off Last Year


MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Northwest Airlines Corp. must restore jobs and give back-pay to 150 aircraft mechanics who were laid off last August, an arbitration board said today after investigating a class-action grievance filed by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association.

The board said Northwest's removal of 11 airplanes from service last August was not caused by a major emergency, and that the subsequent firing of the mechanics violated job-security provisions in the mechanics' labor agreement with Northwest.

Northwest pulled the airplanes from service following downturns in air travel after the war in Iraq began and severe acute respiratory syndrome became widespread throughout Asia.

Northwest and AMFA representatives were given 60 days to determine how many workers were unfairly fired and to restore them to their previous positions. AMFA said the decision will affect about 150 workers, who will receive full benefits and back-pay since being laid off in August.

"Today's ruling serves notice that once the effects of the Iraq war and SARS are over, Northwest Airlines is obligated to restore the jobs furloughed by force majeure," said Jeff Mathews, AMFA's national contract coordinator for Northwest. "That's important because the trend in Northwest's business is already upward."

The AMFA also said the decision paves a route for other workers laid off in the wake of the Iraq war to reclaim their jobs.

Comment from Northwest was not immediately available.

Shares of Northwest fell 3 cents to $9.83 during mid-afternoon trading on the Nasdaq National Stock Market.

 

[Decision 2004]

Contact:

Jeff Mathews

952-851-7150


ARBITRATION BOARD ORDERS NORTHWEST AIRLINES

TO RESTORE JOBS OF UNJUSTLY LAID-OFF MECHANICS


Ruling Opens Way For More Job Restorations After War Emergency Is Over


MINNEAPOLIS, June 14, 2004 – An arbitration board ruled today that Northwest Airlines (Nasdaq: NWAC) must restore the jobs of about 150 aircraft mechanics laid off following the Iraq war and the SARS outbreak last year. In addition, the ruling opened the way for additional job restorations after the effects of the Iraq war and SARS are over, according to the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), which filed a class action grievance.

The board ruled that Northwest's removal of eleven 747 aircraft from service in August 2003 was not caused by a force majeure emergency, and that related layoffs therefore violated the job security provisions of the labor contract between Northwest and the mechanics. Mechanics laid off on that basis must be given back their jobs with full back pay and benefits, according to the ruling. AMFA said it expects the ruling to affect about 150 laid-off mechanics.

AMFA and Northwest representatives were instructed to work together to develop a plan within 60 days to determine the exact number of unfairly laid-off mechanics and to restore them to their positions. The affected employees will be identified by examining records. The board will oversee the process for six months and resolve any individual remedial issues.

"Northwest went too far and laid off people in violation of the contract agreement. For the sake of these employees and their families, we're happy we were able to put the brakes on this excessive behavior and get these jobs restored with full compensation for lost wages and benefits," said Jeff Mathews, AMFA national contract coordinator at Northwest. "We expect most if not all of the affected employees to return to their technician or cleaner positions."

AMFA attorney Nick Granath added that, "We didn't get everything we wanted, but we got some very important things, and this appears to be the first ruling of its kind in the airline industry."


"Now it's on to the next battle," Mathews said. "Today's ruling serves notice that once the effects of the Iraq war and SARS are over, Northwest Airlines is obligated to restore the jobs furloughed by force majeure. That’s important because the trend in Northwest's business is already upward. One of our major concerns is keeping quality jobs in America."

###

 

[Decision 2004]

Here is the Final Ruling - Click Here

 

[local 12 proud]

this is fantastic to see what 'A REAL UNION CAN DO" lets wait and see how many amt jobs the twu can bring back! im sure the company AA/twu will take notice once again how AMFA has prevailed and will try to match what a real "UNION" with power can do just to keep the company "lap dog" begging for more!

 

[Nightwatch]

this is fantastic to see what 'A REAL UNION CAN DO "

Why is it that you can take away from good news. 'A REAL UNION CAN DO' lost FM1,missed your post on that news item.

I do congratulate AMFA for returning the 150 mechanics to work, well done.

 

[The Dissident]

Why is it that you can take away from good news. 'A REAL UNION CAN DO' lost FM1,missed your post on that news item.

And where is the twu grevience. Where is my 12500 for job protection. Oh yea thats right there is none. The twu gave that all away as part of their shared sacrifice!!!!

 

[twuer]

It is always good news when a job is restored so I am happy for the 150!! What about the other 1900 or so who were told they would also be returning? No hope for them????

 

[Bob Owens]

It is always good news when a job is restored so I am happy for the 150!! What about the other 1900 or so who were told they would also be returning? No hope for them????

Of course they have hope, they are not represented by the TWU!

 

[twuer]

Here is the Final Ruling - Click Here

I have now read your award Dave. This is a truly pathetic result for amfa. Out of more than 2000 people laid off because of the Iraq War and SARS no more than 150 people get their jobs back. This is after amfa promised that they would ALL be coming back last Sept. Close to 3000 mechaincs lost their jobs at NWA because of company invoking FM. All of them were covered by amfa's "great" lay-off language. Only 5% of these folks will ever return to work. And, as much as you try to spin it, there is nothing in the award that requires NWA to return anyone else to work in the future Anymore victories like this and there will be no more mechanics at NWA!!

 

[Bob Owens]

And how many mechanics positions have we lost? Counting attrition?

Isnt it over 3000 and what is the TWU doing to get any of them back?

I might also add that NWA mechanics make over $5/hr more than we do and still get shift, holiday, sick and vacation pay.

Oh, and by the way did you hear that NWA has fired an IAM President? Is the TWU going to offer assistance to their sister union in the AFL-CIO? Or would they rather that they let him swing like the TWU Delta organizer that got fired? Or like the Local 501 officers who got fired by the company?

 

[Rusty]

I have now read your award Dave. This is a truly pathetic result for amfa. Out of more than 2000 people laid off because of the Iraq War and SARS no more than 150 people get their jobs back. This is after amfa promised that they would ALL be coming back last Sept. Close to 3000 mechaincs lost their jobs at NWA because of company invoking FM. All of them were covered by amfa's "great" lay-off language. Only 5% of these folks will ever return to work. And, as much as you try to spin it, there is nothing in the award that requires NWA to return anyone else to work in the future Anymore victories like this and there will be no more mechanics at NWA!!

twuer, the mediator states 1,888 affected were effected. You started off at 1,900 and now are at 2,000 what gives??? Are you including Force-Majure-I ??? Lets see, it says Force Majure-I, "545 went off the property." Then under Force Majuse-II "1,888 employees represented by AMFA were ultimately effected."

545+1,888=2,433

2,433 seems to be a different number than what the twu has been telling the membership, ya think??????????? No, surely the twu does not lie their asses off, do they??? BWAAAHAAHA

 

[Decision 2004]

OH MY GOSH!

The TWU would not lie?

They saved 8,000 no 10,000 no 12,000...yeah that's it they saved 12,000 jobs and only screwed 1400 out of job security and sold them down the river.



The TWU wouldn't lie. And neither would the gayFL-CIO.

718 Still out in Tulsa, despite numerous retirements and other attrition.
FACT, TWU's backing of Continuous Improvement is preventing re-calls.

The TWU is in bed with AA, Carmine Romano was one of the 46 that was caught lining their own pockets with Executive Perks at our expense, yet the TWU and him stand side-by-side day-after-day.