Northwest Strike Ballots Authorized
 

NWA MEC Resolution 06-06 Strike Ballot Authorization
Passed by Acclamation - NWA MEC Meeting, New York, NY, February 2, 2006


WHEREAS the NWA MEC has authorized alternative proposals regarding job protections, wages, working conditions and benefits for NWA pilots, and



WHEREAS these proposals are designed to provide NWA with the pilot contract modifications needed for NWA to successfully emerge from bankruptcy and prosper over the long-term, while providing NWA pilots with necessary job protections and competitive wages, working conditions, and benefits, and



WHEREAS the NWA MEC Negotiating Committee has reported to the NWA MEC that, despite these alternative proposals, only limited progress has been made in the negotiations to restructure the NWA pilot contract in these areas, including required job protection provisions for NWA pilots, and



WHEREAS this limited progress, though beneficial, has been insufficient to satisfy NWA pilots’ core interests of job protections including successorship, fragmentation, small jet flying, and other “outsourcing”, and



WHEREAS NWA management’s pilot cost reduction demands in the 1113c process are extreme and are not necessary for the restructuring of the company, and



WHEREAS if fully implemented management’s pilot cost reduction demands would position NWA pilots substantially below their peers in the area of pay and work rules, and



WHEREAS these job protection issues as well as the issues of wages, working conditions, and benefits must be resolved prior to the time the NWA MEC and NWA pilot group consider approving a consensual agreement, and



WHEREAS the NWA MEC strongly believes NWA pilots must be prepared to exercise a range of self-help options up to and including a strike in the event current NWA management is successful in its 1113c motion to reject the pilot collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and current NWA management imposes onerous terms and conditions of employment, including “outsourcing” of NWA pilot jobs, and



WHEREAS Article IV, Section 2.B, of the ALPA Constitution and By-Laws requires an MEC to authorize a strike ballot of the membership prior to that strike ballot being conducted, and



WHEREAS the NWA MEC fully realizes the implications of self-help options up to and including a pilot strike at NWA in the current environment,



THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the NWA MEC authorizes the MEC Chairman, in consultation with the MEC Negotiating Committee, to conduct a strike ballot at a time he considers appropriate, and



BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this strike ballot, once directed by the MEC Chairman, will be conducted in accordance with ALPA electronic balloting procedures, and



BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the NWA MEC strongly encourages all NWA pilots to vote in favor of the strike authorization to support the defense of NWA pilot job protections, wages, working conditions, and benefits, and



BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the NWA MEC Communications Committee, Strategic Preparedness Committee, Negotiating Committee, MEC Officers, and MEC will prepare and implement a communications plan to inform all NWA pilots of the necessity to conduct and support a strike ballot, and possible subsequent strike, and



BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this communications plan will include, but not be limited to, pilot information meetings, crew room visits by MEC members, pilot mailings, and electronic presentations on the NWA MEC website.

Strike is not your best option guys. It will be nice to hang it over their heads, but don't do it till they actually start imposing work rules that affect your head count. There is no way that crook CEO you have Doug SteelyMAN can get cash for new planes, nor exit financing for that matter if the pilots can walk out at any time of there choosing.

I hope Alfred, Gary, and Doug were happy when they get there Chriswtmas letter December 20, 2005! :D

Godspeed to all of you.

FlyByWire, This is just the Strike Ballot Authorization. We will only go on strike if our contract gets trashed and the company imposes its Master Plan. We all know if this happens, it will mean the death of NWA.

The Judge Gropper will not toss out the contract, he never has, 2 years ago Avianca Airlines was in the same boat , he extended the ruling until the partys reached an agreement, i can sell Steenland a bridge in Brooklyn if he thinks Alan is just going to toss it out...

After reading the transcripts from the last couple of days, I really don't see how Judge Gropper can allow Dougy Steal'ind to toss out ourr contracts. Dollaway on thuresday, and McClain on friday did a very good job on the stand.

I Agree!
 

I agree, they did a good job on the stand. But the Judge is in a tough position, thats why he keeps stressing for NWA & ALPA to reach a agreement. I think it will go down to the wire on the 17th.

I do agree with ya. Just as always, Dougy baby will take it to the wire. But I will not take anymore pay or benefit cuts. What we have given them is too much already. Better hit that lottery so I can have a retirement.:D

CHAOS is the only way to strike these days. Just go to work, check in, board the folks and lock the cockpit door. After finishing the morning paper and Sudoku, push. Don't let them replace you. If some replacement (management) pilots show up to take the flight just push the jet and do it again at the next stop.

Is it possible for Judge Gropper to carve out something of his own based on the proposals on his desk from the company and the union, or is it as simple as approve or disapprove the companies request?

To me its is so obvious these guys are pushing beyond what is required, I surely would have to think a bankruptcy judge could see thru the smoke screen NWA management is trying to put up. I love their attorney’s name (Pronounced LEECH).

As far as pay cuts, I do think that another 5% is being proposed by the union, so I would expect the bottom of the pay is not there yet.

I really think Steelyman, and his puppet master Wilson is stupid enough to test if a strike is even legal. They really think they can stop a strike thru the courts, and it is that belief that is guiding them to take this to the breaking point of the airline. It is an all or nothing deal for them. Wilson has cashed out as much as he can, so he wants to play all or nothing now.

Give em' hell guys!! Make it a company worth coming back to!! Just started my 5th year of furlough. OUCH!

Baja.

One of the big sticking points between mgt and us is the fact that NWA froze our pensions and offered a 5% DCP plan AFTER we exit bankrupcy. Mgt even admits this will save several hundred million a year, but wont give us credit for it towards labor savings cost.

This is more a question than judging on anything. Would it not have made more sense to back the mechanics, and fight management as a whole vs the nightmare that is going on now? I know the mechanics did not back the pilots the last time, but this is a whole new airline economy as well. Once again I am asking this to learn, nothing more, nothing less!!!!

Sorry to say this , but the mechanics got what they deserved. Back in Oct '04, we went to them and wanted to work something out with them and the F/A with mgt. The F/A's said no, while the mechanics told us to go intercourse ourselves.

Do I feel sorry for them... by all means yes. Do I pity them....no....Would I have done a sympathy strike if authorized....no.

Do 2 wrongs make a right? I dont think one should go to others low levels. Now its every man (union) for himself. Who has taken the field now? Management.

First remember that the Northwest pilots had just settled their interim concessionary deal............
Why would they want to strike after they just finished striking a deal?

Also remember that NW had not yet declared bankruptcy. I believe that was part of the NW Pilots deal was that MGT said they would not declare bankruptcy if the Pilots gave concessions. So they did what they thought was right. Why do you think MGT always goes to the Pilots first when asking for concessions? Because Pilots are 1. HCE's and 2 they have the power to shut the place down if they strike............Much harder to replace than MEch's and FA's.............

Then it was the IAM's turn........MGT asked them for concessions and wanted to furlough over 50% of the IAM Jobs. What union in their right mind would send a TA to the membership with deep pay and benefit cuts not to mention cutting half the jobs?? Even if they sent it out for a vote........already 50% are not going to vote for it...................

MGT had this planned from the start.............Get the pilots to accept cuts with the agreement of no bankruptcy......................
Offer the IAM adeal they know the WILL refuse...............
Declare bankruptcy ( of course blame the Mechanics) and go after more cuts from Pilots and FA's and hopefully gut all union contracts!

Delta is doing the same thing except they only have 1 Union to deal with.................the pilots

OH I forgot..........MGT then grants itself big bonuses (in the millions) for achieving cost cutting.

That pretty much says it all RedEye, except for one thing....... MGT didnt give themselves huge bonuses for cost cutting. It's the "We must pay big $ to keep good people from leaving" excuse. My question is .... Are'nt they the ones with the bad management practices that up us were we are?

Only one thing to add.
 

;) The MGT went to AMFA (not the IAM) asking for 50% cut in jobs and pay. Other wise you nailed it.

My Mistake........was IAM was voted off the property about 5-6 years back in favor of AMFA? :confused:

ok I have just one question what is stopping mgt. from just taking there so called "bonuses" and just splitting I mean if the strike poses to cost more in the long run who’s to say they wont just gut the business and move on. I mean what’s the company actually worth if there are no pilots to fly the planes even with outsourcing he would still have to find a way to nullify the existing contracts of the pilots he already has.
I dont really have an answer to this i thought i would just though it out there.

rabuski

The answer is GREED!!!
Look at what UAL CEO's got when they emerged from chapter 13!
These guys are looking at that also. The goose is not dead all the way yet, iy may still lay some golden eggs.