PFAA Letter to the Membership Regarding Strike Vote - August 9, 2005
Dear Members,
The clock is ticking on a possible strike that the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) has threatened to call if Northwest Airlines management does not change its unreasonable demands for concessions. The scenario of 5,000 Mechanics walking off the job on August 20, 2005 becomes more likely with each passing day. Unless a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) is established (which the White House has indicated it has no intention of doing) or a settlement is reached between AMFA and NWA management, the Mechanics, Cleaners and Custodians have made it clear that they intend to strike. The purpose of this letter is to communicate relevant strike information to our members.
First and foremost, our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) contains no provision which expressly prohibits Flight Attendants from supporting our fellow employees by engaging in a work stoppage, with the exception of Letter of Agreement 2 which requires the continuation of military flights in the event of a labor dispute. PFAA and its legal counsel firmly believe that, contrary to company statements to the media and in employee communications, the Flight Attendants do have a legal right, both under our contract and Federal law, to honor another Unions picket line.
Union members who choose to exercise this right are legally protected from termination. PFAA will only call on the membership to honor other labor organizations' picket lines upon a favorable vote of the membership.
It is important for each of you to understand that should we choose to exercise our right to support another union's strike, NWA management could hire replacement workers to replace those who refuse to cross the picket line. At the conclusion of the strike, those who chose to honor the picket lines would be eligible to return to work. However, there also exists the possibility that returning to work could be delayed, subject to vacancies occurring within the ranks of the replacement workers or the need for additional staffing.
NWA management has publicly stated that it has the right to terminate employees who will not cross the picket lines. However, the law provides that an employer may not terminate employees engaged in a lawful work stoppage.
As noted above, PFAA will not call for a strike by the Flight Attendants unless such action is approved by the membership. Should NWA management seek to retaliate against any Flight Attendant who chooses to exercise their right to legally withhold their services, PFAA will defend each and every individual with the full resources of the Association. Additionally, AMFA has pledged to "not go back to work until those individuals or unions who supported our strike are brought back to work."
Per Article I, Section 4.A. and Article IV, Section 3.A. of the PFAA Constitution, the Executive Board is conducting a ballot on the question of whether or not to honor a possible AMFA strike. The balloting begins today at 3:00 p.m. Central time and ends August 19th at 11:00 p.m. Central time.
We want our members to understand that this issue is not about any single Union or a single strike. It is about the philosophy of Unionism in general: Labor standing together collectively for the future of all workers.
NWA Management's past and present philosophy and strategy is to pit one Union group against another in an effort to hide the fact that the airline's management is the real threat to our careers and quality of life. Your elected leaders promote and support union solidarity.
By refusing to negotiate and making unrealistic demands of labor, Northwest management has drawn its line in the sand. PFAA believes NWA management's primary goal is to divide, conquer and bust all of the Unions on the property. Now is the time for labor to stand together. Only by showing solidarity will the employees get the respect and recognition they deserve.
We will continue to urge NWA management to reach an equitable agreement with AMFA and their members. We believe that a consensual agreement is in the best interest of all NWA employees and the safe operation of our airline.
PFAA will continue to keep you updated on this issue as things change. Should you have any further questions or concerns please contact any PFAA representative.
We understand the ramifications this decision will have on our members and do not ask this lightly. We hope you will join us in voting yes to strike in support of our AMFA coworkers.
In Solidarity,
PFAA Executive Board
Dear Members,
The clock is ticking on a possible strike that the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) has threatened to call if Northwest Airlines management does not change its unreasonable demands for concessions. The scenario of 5,000 Mechanics walking off the job on August 20, 2005 becomes more likely with each passing day. Unless a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) is established (which the White House has indicated it has no intention of doing) or a settlement is reached between AMFA and NWA management, the Mechanics, Cleaners and Custodians have made it clear that they intend to strike. The purpose of this letter is to communicate relevant strike information to our members.
First and foremost, our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) contains no provision which expressly prohibits Flight Attendants from supporting our fellow employees by engaging in a work stoppage, with the exception of Letter of Agreement 2 which requires the continuation of military flights in the event of a labor dispute. PFAA and its legal counsel firmly believe that, contrary to company statements to the media and in employee communications, the Flight Attendants do have a legal right, both under our contract and Federal law, to honor another Unions picket line.
Union members who choose to exercise this right are legally protected from termination. PFAA will only call on the membership to honor other labor organizations' picket lines upon a favorable vote of the membership.
It is important for each of you to understand that should we choose to exercise our right to support another union's strike, NWA management could hire replacement workers to replace those who refuse to cross the picket line. At the conclusion of the strike, those who chose to honor the picket lines would be eligible to return to work. However, there also exists the possibility that returning to work could be delayed, subject to vacancies occurring within the ranks of the replacement workers or the need for additional staffing.
NWA management has publicly stated that it has the right to terminate employees who will not cross the picket lines. However, the law provides that an employer may not terminate employees engaged in a lawful work stoppage.
As noted above, PFAA will not call for a strike by the Flight Attendants unless such action is approved by the membership. Should NWA management seek to retaliate against any Flight Attendant who chooses to exercise their right to legally withhold their services, PFAA will defend each and every individual with the full resources of the Association. Additionally, AMFA has pledged to "not go back to work until those individuals or unions who supported our strike are brought back to work."
Per Article I, Section 4.A. and Article IV, Section 3.A. of the PFAA Constitution, the Executive Board is conducting a ballot on the question of whether or not to honor a possible AMFA strike. The balloting begins today at 3:00 p.m. Central time and ends August 19th at 11:00 p.m. Central time.
We want our members to understand that this issue is not about any single Union or a single strike. It is about the philosophy of Unionism in general: Labor standing together collectively for the future of all workers.
NWA Management's past and present philosophy and strategy is to pit one Union group against another in an effort to hide the fact that the airline's management is the real threat to our careers and quality of life. Your elected leaders promote and support union solidarity.
By refusing to negotiate and making unrealistic demands of labor, Northwest management has drawn its line in the sand. PFAA believes NWA management's primary goal is to divide, conquer and bust all of the Unions on the property. Now is the time for labor to stand together. Only by showing solidarity will the employees get the respect and recognition they deserve.
We will continue to urge NWA management to reach an equitable agreement with AMFA and their members. We believe that a consensual agreement is in the best interest of all NWA employees and the safe operation of our airline.
PFAA will continue to keep you updated on this issue as things change. Should you have any further questions or concerns please contact any PFAA representative.
We understand the ramifications this decision will have on our members and do not ask this lightly. We hope you will join us in voting yes to strike in support of our AMFA coworkers.
In Solidarity,
PFAA Executive Board
