jimcfsus

http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/...os/P104605.asp

Your take on sickout by airline workers?


US Airways Group blamed canceled flights and stranded luggage on workers who called in sick over the weekend.


Morale is low among workers at US Airways Group (UAIR, news, msgs). To keep the faltering airline aloft, they’re told, they must accept massive, permanent pay and benefit cuts and probably lose their defined-benefit pension plans.

The Arlington, Va., carrier canceled about 400 flights over the weekend. A spokesman said flight-attendant sick calls were about triple the usual number and a shortage of ramp workers developed at US Airways' Philadelphia hub. Neither side admitted to an organized sickout, which would be an illegal act for the workers and deter passengers from making reservations.

US Airways CEO Bruce Lakefield praised workers for "putting in long hours [and] doing their best to deal with frustrated, disappointed and angry customers." But he also said customers "were let down by those who chose to abuse their sick leave when we needed them most,” The Wall Street Journal reported. “Let's not forget who pays our salaries: our customers," Lakefield said.

What do you think of the US Airways workers who called in sick? Vote, then e-mail your thoughts to the team.

pgalore

What benefits do employees get if they liquidate faster? If the airline lays them off rather than their having to quit, they get unemployment compensation, but what other benefits would they get over quitting?

Could there be a hidden strategy in the no-shows this weekend?

CPRich

Pure, petty, malicious revenge.

aaupgrade

Perhaps getting put out of their misery more quickly. Perhaps a little satisfaction. After all whether they liquidate slowly or quickly, the end result is the same. In this scenario, actions like this are prone to happen. I would venture to say these actions are not sick outs, but a result of employee apathy and feelings of betrayal. There is really no down side for the employee. After all the worst that could happen is they get fired. Who knows they may even get severance. Any employee who gets fired and gets any type of severence may, I repeat may, be better off than those who stay. Those employees still employed at the bitter end will get nothing. I think there are still a lot of employees, management and customers in severe denial with respect to the demise of US. Just MHO.