In a Reversal, Mechanics at Northwest Agree to Vote
DETROIT, Oct. 16 - With mechanics at Northwest Airlines about to enter the third month of their strike, the union representing them has shifted course and decided to allow a vote on the airline's latest offer.
The offer from Northwest, which filed for bankruptcy protection last month, would allow about 500 of the 4,430 striking workers to return to their jobs. The others would be given four weeks' severance pay. Members of the Aircraft Machinists Fraternal Association will be deciding over the next two weeks whether to accept the proposal.
In a letter to members on Friday, the union said, "When you look at the details, you will be hard-pressed to find anything 'good.' "
O. V. Delle-Femine, the union president, said Sunday that he did not expect the offer to win approval from a majority of union members. "Their offer is audacious and unrealistic," he said. "I think what it does is it solidifies our strikers and it shows it's worth staying out because of what the company is offering."
The Northwest workers went on strike on Aug. 20, after the airline said it would not back down from a contract offer that would have imposed $176 million in wage and benefits cuts.
The decision to allow its members to vote on Northwest's offer represents a slight softening in the union's hard-line approach to bargaining since the strike began. It also marks the first time since the walkout that the union has publicly entertained an offer from the airline.
Representatives from the airline and the company met on Thursday and on Friday to see if they could make any progress in the stalled contract negotiations. Northwest presented the offer, which the union said would preserve 500 to 539 mechanics jobs, allowing up to 580 replacement mechanics to continue in their jobs. The union did not say what the new pay rate would be, although replacement mechanics are being paid about $27 an hour. Before they struck, union mechanics were earning about $37 an hour. The airline's offer before the strike would have required mechanics, cleaners and other employees to take a 26 percent pay cut. Union leaders rejected the proposal outright, and did not take it to the full membership for a vote.
In a statement on Sunday, Northwest said, "We are pleased that the A.M.F.A. leadership is giving employees the opportunity to vote on the proposed terms of an agreement."
In its letter to members on Friday, the union said its decision to put Northwest's latest offer to a vote was not a "sellout."
"We feel it is imperative at this point in time for the company's management, and the financial community, to hear what your decision is," the letter said.
DETROIT, Oct. 16 - With mechanics at Northwest Airlines about to enter the third month of their strike, the union representing them has shifted course and decided to allow a vote on the airline's latest offer.
The offer from Northwest, which filed for bankruptcy protection last month, would allow about 500 of the 4,430 striking workers to return to their jobs. The others would be given four weeks' severance pay. Members of the Aircraft Machinists Fraternal Association will be deciding over the next two weeks whether to accept the proposal.
In a letter to members on Friday, the union said, "When you look at the details, you will be hard-pressed to find anything 'good.' "
O. V. Delle-Femine, the union president, said Sunday that he did not expect the offer to win approval from a majority of union members. "Their offer is audacious and unrealistic," he said. "I think what it does is it solidifies our strikers and it shows it's worth staying out because of what the company is offering."
The Northwest workers went on strike on Aug. 20, after the airline said it would not back down from a contract offer that would have imposed $176 million in wage and benefits cuts.
The decision to allow its members to vote on Northwest's offer represents a slight softening in the union's hard-line approach to bargaining since the strike began. It also marks the first time since the walkout that the union has publicly entertained an offer from the airline.
Representatives from the airline and the company met on Thursday and on Friday to see if they could make any progress in the stalled contract negotiations. Northwest presented the offer, which the union said would preserve 500 to 539 mechanics jobs, allowing up to 580 replacement mechanics to continue in their jobs. The union did not say what the new pay rate would be, although replacement mechanics are being paid about $27 an hour. Before they struck, union mechanics were earning about $37 an hour. The airline's offer before the strike would have required mechanics, cleaners and other employees to take a 26 percent pay cut. Union leaders rejected the proposal outright, and did not take it to the full membership for a vote.
In a statement on Sunday, Northwest said, "We are pleased that the A.M.F.A. leadership is giving employees the opportunity to vote on the proposed terms of an agreement."
In its letter to members on Friday, the union said its decision to put Northwest's latest offer to a vote was not a "sellout."
"We feel it is imperative at this point in time for the company's management, and the financial community, to hear what your decision is," the letter said.
