TOPIC: Strike as a General Issue >> Your Thoughts
Aug 20, 2005 | 2:29 pm
#586
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,884
Originally Posted by yogimax
The mechanics have every right to fight for what they think is right. Thank the Lord that we live in a society where we all have that opportunity. The real question, however, is whether they are making the correct decision based on the economic realities of the situation. The choice basically came down to 50% of the jobs at 75% of the salary or 0% of the jobs at $0 salary. On that basis, it sure seems they made the incorrect decision.
Aug 20, 2005 | 2:30 pm
#587
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,884
Originally Posted by socrates
Is there a reason you're disagreeing with your own earlier post? Flip/Flop?
Aug 20, 2005 | 2:34 pm
#588
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,884
Originally Posted by Dick Ginkowski
Folks, how about discussing issues and refraining from personal attacks on each other?
Perhaps we could discuss why NW execs took a bonus after their success in gaining concessions from the pilot union? Bonuses that, all told, totaled more than $1 billion? How much did NW lose last year, something like $800 million? Yeah...
Aug 20, 2005 | 2:34 pm
#589
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 934
Hummmm
The irony in the issue . . .
A few years back, AMFA pitched hard and broke the Cleaners away from the IAM which represents the Ramp and Customer Service personnel. This made an interesting marriage as the Mechanics (aircraft) are paid signifantly higher for a skilled (licensed) trade.
Forward to today . . . NWA proposes elimination of most Cleaner amd Custodial positions which along with the Mechanic layoffs represent over 50% of the membership base.
Since a majority would be required to authorize a strike as well as approve a contract, when you eliminate over 50% of the rank and file you have predetermined the result.
If AMFA had left the Cleaners in the IAM, the proposed cuts would have been approximately 20% workforce with a 26% cut compensation and benefit cut.
I don't think these facts have been lost on NWA. The 50% reduction guarantees a work action and the AMFA history just about guarantees the lack of support from IAM.
Reminds me of TWA days . . . keep the Unions fighting each other and Management comes out smelling like a rose.
A few years back, AMFA pitched hard and broke the Cleaners away from the IAM which represents the Ramp and Customer Service personnel. This made an interesting marriage as the Mechanics (aircraft) are paid signifantly higher for a skilled (licensed) trade.
Forward to today . . . NWA proposes elimination of most Cleaner amd Custodial positions which along with the Mechanic layoffs represent over 50% of the membership base.
Since a majority would be required to authorize a strike as well as approve a contract, when you eliminate over 50% of the rank and file you have predetermined the result.
If AMFA had left the Cleaners in the IAM, the proposed cuts would have been approximately 20% workforce with a 26% cut compensation and benefit cut.
I don't think these facts have been lost on NWA. The 50% reduction guarantees a work action and the AMFA history just about guarantees the lack of support from IAM.
Reminds me of TWA days . . . keep the Unions fighting each other and Management comes out smelling like a rose.
Aug 20, 2005 | 2:37 pm
#590
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Greener Pastures
Posts: 10,515
The weather is definitely a factor today. I was supposed to fly IAD-CVG-BOS-PWM on a mileage run today and my CVG-BOS flight which was supposed to depart CVG at 11.10, got delayed til 12.30 and then, during the boarding process, they cancelled the flight. I did a trip in vain & came back to IAD and will rebook for another date, but a lot of people are going to get screwed by the weather today.
The WC at IAD was completely deserted both times I stopped in today - although there were no signs of a strike at IAD at all.
The WC at IAD was completely deserted both times I stopped in today - although there were no signs of a strike at IAD at all.
Aug 20, 2005 | 2:47 pm
#591
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 7
I hope little to no difference is noted with the strike and replacements are given permenant jobs with NW. That will show those mech's...
Aug 20, 2005 | 2:57 pm
#592
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,884
Originally Posted by jlgossma
I hope little to no difference is noted with the strike and replacements are given permenant jobs with NW. That will show those mech's...
Aug 20, 2005 | 2:58 pm
#593
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 31
Originally Posted by socrates
I know....gosh darn SWA et al...how dare they not play by the union/legacy carrier's rule book....LRTS you should refuse to fly them too....on second thought...the auto industry is doing the same thing the air industry is doing...you better walk instead
Aug 20, 2005 | 3:09 pm
#594
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Midwest ;AA Plat 2.5 MM
Posts: 45
Back to.....Remedial Capitalism
Originally Posted by LTRS
$50K a yr? Seriously, what planet are you living on? These guys bonuses and stock options alone are far, far, above that. Try on some facts:
Between May 13 and June 8 this year, NWAC Chairman Gary Wilson sold nearly 60 percent of his stake in the company, according to disclosures filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (from 4,218,180 shares on May 13 to 1,745,697 shares as of June 8), taking approximately $13,435,000 out of the corporation.
Between May 13 and June 8 this year, NWAC Chairman Gary Wilson sold nearly 60 percent of his stake in the company, according to disclosures filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (from 4,218,180 shares on May 13 to 1,745,697 shares as of June 8), taking approximately $13,435,000 out of the corporation.
According to the SEC all of these shares were sold on the open market. Therefore, some entity other than Northwest purchased them. There was no taking of "approximately $13,435,000 'out' of the corporation." Other persons paid his trust directly with their own funds. http://edgar.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/...F345X02/a4.xml
According to the SEC this is a part of a plan he filed on April 26, 2005 wherein he laid out his plans, to them, to dispose of a large part of his holdings. You can find that information right on the reference URL.
LTRS has a viewpoint. It's his. He owns it. Clearly he believes his thoughts should direct his life actions. That doesn't mean we need to spend the rest of a thread like this dissecting it. His mind is made up and facts are only helpful if they support his preconceptions and clearly they are as much based in his idea of capitalism/socialism/life values/employment as they pertain to the business of aviation.
Do not feed the trolls.
Last edited by insideinfo2; Aug 20, 2005 at 3:28 pm Reason: correct truncated EDGAR URL
Aug 20, 2005 | 3:18 pm
#595
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Delta Gold
Posts: 416
Lord, I'm Glad That's Over!
O.K., the mechanics are on strike, NW is still flying, can we get back to important subjects like, "Which vodka do you prefer?". No really, things appear to be better than could be expected, raise one for all those folks working for and flying Northwest. As for the mechanics, dum de dum dumb........
Your friends will make the wedding
You'll make it to Amsterdam or Tokyo
Your award ticket is still good
They'll be some bumps
But we'll all see a healthier airline
Your friends will make the wedding
You'll make it to Amsterdam or Tokyo
Your award ticket is still good
They'll be some bumps
But we'll all see a healthier airline
Aug 20, 2005 | 3:23 pm
#596
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: CDG
Programs: NW Gold Elite
Posts: 278
And according to the media there are no major service interruptions...hmmm
Aug 20, 2005 | 3:39 pm
#597
Join Date: Aug 2000
Programs: I am an AS employee, but my comments do not represent the company in any official capacity.
Posts: 4,343
I just booked a flight from ANC to RDU for next week and I intentionally booked NW. I hope it doesn't backfire on me, but I want to support the airline. I also plan to thank the flight crew for crossing the lines and keeping my favorite airline flying...
Aug 20, 2005 | 3:42 pm
#598
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: North Beach, MD
Posts: 32
No probs at all...
Flew LAS-MSP-DCA beginning @ 1am this morning and had no problems whatsoever. Well, the plane was a bit late leaving MSP reportedly due to a lack of cleaning personnel, but no bit deal. What really impressed me was the EXCELLENT service and generally positive and friendly attitude of everyone NWA that I encountered today. (Except the 5 or so mechanic picketers outside of DCA, but I guess they're not really part of NWA anymore, in my book, at this moment.)
-Tim
-Tim
Aug 20, 2005 | 3:54 pm
#599
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: PBI | Formerly CLT, LHR & AMS (with just a bit of PSP)
Programs: Proud AA CK Spouse, AA Plat, HH Diamond, BonVoy Titanium, Caesars7* (comp), Wynn Black, HR Icon
Posts: 8,208
Originally Posted by SchmutzigMSP
Yeah, it's the mech's that have been screwing NW, not those $98 RT fares we've all been feasting on.
Aug 20, 2005 | 4:24 pm
#600
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: IAD
Programs: Chase Million Miler, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 2,729
Originally Posted by yogimax
Pleeease... let's not be disingenuous here. You have an obvious pro-union bias. Admit it and make your point. Don't try to make it sound like an impartial evaluation.