Northwest strike seen as a watershed

In some ways, the Northwest labor dispute is unique, especially because the airline was able to correctly predict that the independent union would get little support from other labor groups in its walkout. Pilots and flight attendants are crossing the mechanics’ picket lines to work, and major unions like the AFL-CIO have offered little support.

“I think that Northwest’s management had a pretty good idea of just how isolated the mechanics would be in this particular situation, and they were correct in that,” said Michael Belzer, associate professor of industrial relations at Wayne State University.

From the union’s perspective, the company’s demands that it accept both $176 million in concessions plus a work force reduction of more than 50 percent add up to nothing less than an attempt to smash the union.

“We are willing to help the company. We are skilled, career-minded technicians,” said O.V. Delle-Femina, national director of the union. “I’m telling you right now we would give them $176 million if they keep the jobs. We’re not going to give it to them without getting anything back. For what? Because of mismanagement?”

A spokesman for Northwest denied the union-busting charge but said it is essential that the airline be allowed to outsource more of its airline maintenance work to outside contractors.

“We worked diligently to try to reach a consensual agreement with AMFA,” said the spokesman, Kurt Ebenhoch. “But because of the company’s substantial losses and the competitive disadvantages in areas of maintenance we had no other choice but to seek these changes.”

Quick profile of Northwest Airlines — Destinations served: More than 232 in 25 countries. — Total aircraft: 433 — Hubs: Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul — Routes: Domestic strength in the U.S. Midwest. Internationally known for Asian routes with 200 nonstop flights weekly. — Major alliances: Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM   — Regional partners: Pinnacle Airlines Inc. and Mesaba Airlines Inc., both operating as Northwest Airlink. — Employees: Approximately 38,000. Sources: Northwest, SEC filings, Airport authorities.

Northwest says it completed 96.9 percent of its scheduled flights Monday, compared with nearly 99 percent reported last August. The company has declined to say how many flights have been delayed, although a random survey of 396 out of about 5,600 flights scheduled over the first four days of the strike found that half were delayed by an average of nearly an hour, according to a report on the Web site joesentme.com.

Joe Brancatelli, publisher of the Web site, said the delays and cancellations are likely to get worse in coming days as the airline runs up against end-of-month regulations limiting crew duty times.

Many analysts suspect Northwest’s problems ultimately could end up in bankruptcy court, as chief executive Douglas Steenland has warned the company might have to file for protection, especially if Congress does not pass a new law that would give the company more time to fulfill its pension fund obligations.

Chaison, the Clark University professor, said the mechanics might not mind bringing their case before a bankruptcy judge, figuring the result can hardly be much worse than what Northwestern is offering.

“AMFA is willing to take its chances in bankruptcy court, which really I think is a sign of their desperation,” he said.

MORE FROM AVIATION

Aviation Section Front

U.K. court: British Airways can bar strike Boeing has much to prove with 787 U.K. transit crews may follow British Air strike Southwest Air tops list of best places to work Mechanics target overseas airline maintenance Boeing 787 takes flight after two-year delay British Airways crew to strike over Christmas Boeing: 787’s first flight may be Dec. 15 Boeing’s delayed 747-8 completes engine test American, partners offer $1.1 billion to JAL Aviation Section Front   Add Aviation headlines to your news reader: