Northwest to keep flying even if attendants strike
Posted on Friday, August 25, 2006
Northwest Airlines Corp., which kept operating through a 2005 strike by mechanics, plans to maintain a full schedule if flight attendants stage random work stoppages beginning tonight.
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA said it will implement strikes that could involve one flight, one city or Northwest’s whole system starting at 9: 01 p.m. Minneapolis time. The attendants’ actions would be in protest of the carrier’s $ 195 million annual reduction in their pay and benefits.
Northwest, the fifth-largest U. S. carrier, has asked a federal court to overrule a bankruptcy judge who upheld the right of the 9, 300 attendants to strike. A walkout and anything less than $ 195 million in concessions could threaten Northwest’s exit from bankruptcy, imperil 34, 000 jobs and put the company out of business, the Eagan, Minnesota- based airline has said.
“They should be able to run a pretty good schedule,” said Jerry Glass, president of Washingtonbased F&H Solutions Group and a former US Airways Group Inc. executive. “If they can’t, that says to me the union is engaged in a very aggressive strike. If they are involved in a very aggressive strike, they are going to put the company at great risk.” U. S. District Judge Victor Marrero in New York will hear arguments starting at 1 p.m. today on Northwest’s request to block a strike. The federal Justice Department and 20 U. S. carriers have asked him to rule in favor of Northwest.
Marrero could rule in favor of either side, or block a strike temporarily and order both sides back to negotiations.
Northwest, which replaced mechanics who walked off the job in August 2005, has said contingency plans are in place should the attendants strike. The carrier hasn’t said how it would cover the attendants ’ work.
“We have a plan in place to ensure that our flights are properly staffed with certified flight attendants to meet both FAA and Northwest requirements and the needs of our customers,” spokesman Kurt Ebenhoch said.
Corporate travelers and leisure passengers aren’t shying away from Northwest, according to Carlson Wagonlit Travel, which operates in 150 countries.
“There is little in the way of perceptible movement away from Northwest,” said Steve Loucks, spokesman for Carlson Wagonlit Associates, which has 1, 700 U. S. locations.
Carlson Wagonlit Travel, which handles corporate accounts, “has a significant volume through Northwest” and has seen little effect, spokesman Laurie Alexander said.
“The public has become somewhat immune” to potential labor disruptions, said Terry Trippler of Internet travel club Myvacationpassport. com. “I’m not telling our members to fly Northwest or not to. I am saying, would I buy a ticket to travel in September on Northwest ? And I would.”
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