My sources tell me there will be a strike.

Northwest Airlines will Continue to Operate Normal Schedule

EAGAN, Minn. - (August 19, 2005; 11:00 p.m. CDT) -- Northwest Airlines (NASDAQ: NWAC) today said that it plans to operate its normal schedule despite the failure to reach a consensual agreement with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA).

"Northwest customers can continue to depend on Northwest for their travel needs. We intend to operate our normal schedule of domestic and international flights," said Doug Steenland, president and chief executive officer.

"During the past 18 months, Northwest developed a comprehensive contingency plan that includes expanded vendor relationships to ensure that the airline continues to operate normally. Northwest has experienced, licensed and trained mechanics in place to service all NWA aircraft. The airline remains in full compliance with all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations."

"The Northwest final offer was fair to our employees while recognizing the need for equitable labor costs savings from all labor groups so that Northwest could restructure successfully," Steenland continued.

Because of the failure to reach an agreement with AMFA leadership prior to the midnight (EDT), August 20 deadline, Northwest has implemented new terms and conditions for its mechanics as permitted by the federal Railway Labor Act.

As always, Northwest customers can check on the status of their flights by utilizing the airline's web site, www.nwa.com or by calling the NWA flight information line at (800) 441-1818.

Northwest Airlines is the world's fourth largest airline with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam, and approximately 1,600 daily departures.

I dunno, gotta admit that not even many of you would agree to vote to can 53% of the mechanics, if you were one of them. That just doesn't add up.

I figure they care just about as much as senior management. The flying public is just a pawn caught in the middle of their bluster.

You gotta figure that it was destined to fail on that point alone. The no vote was always guaranteed to be at least 53%, just out of pure self-interest.

Unlike the language in the AMFA link, which spews about a strike AND bankruptcy, I disagree. NW didn't need to push for a strike to achieve bankruptcy, so why would they traumatize themselves, employees, and passengers with this process?

I see this as a positive step, showing that they're serious about being both financially viable AND committed to their business. Of course, I'm biased ... I'm dependent on them to get me from MEM to all points, so maybe I'm just watching through red(tailed) glasses.

Agreed.

Exactly, and this has been and is the main point of contention. Even the blind can see that, which supports the theory that NW was aiming to push for a strike at any cost. No reasonable person would vote to get more than half of the voting group fired.

Heh-heh.. have a DTW-CHI supposed to go in <10 hrs -- wondering if they'll cancel it for WX or MX first ??
Sure smells like 'trip in vain' ...

/.

Given the seniority-based nature of the unions, you'd very likely know if you were one of the ones to be terminated under the agreement. You wouldn't even be able to chance voting "Yes" and hope to still have a job.

[QUOTE=trader475]
"The Northwest final offer was fair to our employees while recognizing the need for equitable labor costs savings from all labor groups so that Northwest could restructure successfully," Steenland continued.
QUOTE]

NW's Last Best Offer

A strike was a foregone conclusion. There was no way 53% of the members were going to vote themselves out of a job...

NW wanted this. If not they wouldn't have been planning for 18 months for it to happen.

best of luck to NWA mechanics. Your cause is just.

You don't piss and crap where you sleep... capiche?

Nice...

-Alan

Boycott Northwest!!!!

Good riddance to bad mechanics. Go NWA!!!