Continental Airlines yesterday said it applied to the US National
Mediation Board for the immediate appointment of a federal mediator to
help in its negotiations with its flight attendants.Earlier this year,
...
U.S. AIRLINE LABOR PAGE
(updated December 24, 2005)
CURRENT LABOR-RELATED AIRLINE NEWS
Today in the Sky (Columns by Ben Mutzabaugh -
U.S.A. Today)
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July 15, 2005
Is it time to start the strike countdown at Northwest?
In an effort to jump-start stalled talks,
federal mediators have offered binding arbitration to Northwest Airlines
and the company's mechanics. But, that offer could be a tell-tale sign
the labor talks between the two parties have failed, reports the
Lincoln (Neb.) Journal-Star. Experts predict the offer will be
rejected, a move that starts the clock on a 30-day cooling off period
that could culminate in a strike. "The offer of arbitration is typically
a signal that the (federal National Mediation Board) believes there is
an impasse," John Remington, a professor of industrial relations at the
University of Minnesota, tells the
St. Paul Pioneer Press (free registration).
"It's a perfunctory step. Arbitration usually doesn't get any takers." Voting by mechanics to authorize a strike is expected to wrap up July 19, and Northwest has taken the ominous step of recruiting and training replacement mechanics while prepping managers to possibly stand in for striking workers, according to The Associated Press. Similar showdowns at other airlines have also come down to the wire, only to have a deal banged out at the last second. "Cooler heads will prevail and they'll work out some sort of agreement," predicts Darryl Jenkins, a visiting professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Others, however, warn that with the especially poor relations between Northwest and its mechanics, this time could be different "I think the chance of a strike is greater than it was at United," says John Budd, a professor of human resources at the University of Minnesota. Posted 7:38 a.m. ET
General
Turbulent U.S. Aircraft Industry Shaking Up Unions August 1, 2005
- Associated Press
Wichita, KA, - Already reeling from layoffs that slashed their ranks, unions
representing this city's aircraft workers must now grapple with a new
workplace reality after the sale of the Boeing Co.'s commercial airplane
operations in Kansas and Oklahoma to a Canadian firm.
Soaring Oil Prices Batter US Airline Stocks
June 24, 2005
Shares of major airlines weakened broadly on Friday, hammered by
skyrocketing oil prices, an expense that carriers are finding difficult to
pass along to travelers.
US Airlines Divided On Pension Reforms
June
21, 2005
Struggling US airlines are descending on Capitol Hill seeking help with pension
costs, but they are not presenting a united front.
Perks Gone from
Big Airlines (U.S.A. Today - Today in the Sky 6/10/05)
Senate To Help Airlines On Pensions?
June 7,
2005
A key Senate lawmaker said on Tuesday he was ready to help airlines close
pension gaps, as chiefs of two carriers warned legislative action is needed soon
for their companies to avert possible bankruptcy.
Airlines facing losses this year of $6 billion
May 30, 2005
America West
The leadership of the America West Airlines unit of the Air Line Pilots
Association today expressed deep concern that senior management
continues to ignore reasonable requests to help the union protect its
membership
Continental
Continental
Turns to NMB to assist with cabin staff talks June 22,
2005
Continental Seeks Mediator In Flight Attendant Talks
June 21, 2005
Continental Airlines on Tuesday said it had requested a federal mediator to help
it reach an agreement with flight attendants on pay and benefit reductions.
Continental Confirms Stronger Cash Position
June 8, 2005
Continental Airlines expects to have at least USD$1.5 billion in cash on hand by
the end of the year, its chief executive said on Wednesday.
Delta
Delta Air Lines Inc.: Bankruptcy again possibility, company says, citing
costs, loss Chicago Tribune | July 1, 2005
Delta Air Lines Inc. has said again that it might have to file for
bankruptcy if it can't reduce costs to stem losses or if cash drops to
an "unacceptably low level." Delta said in a regulatory filing Thursday
...
Delta, Northwest Most At Risk From Oil Spike
June 27, 2005
Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines are the two US airlines most at risk
of falling into bankruptcy by surging energy costs, analysts said on Monday.
Bankruptcy Not Part Of Delta's Plan
June 8,
2005
Delta Air Lines' Chief Financial Officer on Wednesday said filing for bankruptcy
was not part of the cash-strapped carrier's transformation plan, but it is a
possibility he cannot entirely rule out.
Frontier
Attendants at Frontier vote against union Rocky Mountain News | Friday Jul 22
Frontier Airlines Inc. said Thursday its flight attendants rejected
joining a union, the fourth time they have done so
Northwest
|
NWA Pilots Reject Idea Of New Airline - Multiple Sources,
December 23, 2005 Northwest wants a subsidiary that would fly new 76- to 100-seat airplanes piloted by new hires and laid-off Northwest pilots. |
Fight or flight for Northwest World Peace Herald, August 15
Labor and management negotiators at Northwest Airlines plan to
resume talks today in a last-ditch attempt to avert a strike by
4,430 airplane mechanics and cleaners that will begin Saturday if
the two sides cannot reach an agreement...
Bush Probably Staying Out Of NWA Labor Dispute WBZ Allston, August
15
President Bush does not plan to use the route available to him to avert
a possible strike by mechanics at Northwest Airlines that could begin as
soon as this weekend.
Strike looms for Northwest Airlines Air Cargo World, July 26
The National Mediation Board said it failed to broker a cost-cutting
deal between Northwest Airlines and its unionized mechanics, setting the
stage for a strike.
Flight Attendants Sue Northwest on Training Plan Airport Business,
July 26
Northwest Airlines is demanding that its union flight attendants help
train and work with "flight attendant candidates" who could replace them
if they strike.
Northwest Airlines training replacement mechanics in Tucson
KVOA, Tucson; July 7, 2005
Mechanics from Northwest Airlines are gearing up for a possible strike, and
the airline is training their replacements here in Tucso
n.
Labor situation grim at Northwest - USA Today, July 6, 2005: Northwest may be forced to file for bankruptcy protection if it can't lower labor costs by the end of the year, the airline's CEO said Tuesday. Northwest is seeking more than $1 billion in savings from workers, something CEO Doug Steenland says the carrier must get by New Year's. The airline has made cost-cutting agreements with pilots, but Northwest and pilots union are already preparing for a possible mechanics strike. And on Tuesday, the mechanics sought to break off contract talks the after nation's fourth-largest carrier rejected their latest pay-cut offer, The Associated Press reports. A 30-day cooling off period would follow, if mechanics are released from the talks. Northwest has also made little progress with flight attendants, according to AP. Northwest has also been looking for other ways to cut costs, such as scrapping free pretzels and magazines.
Northwest Mechanics Seek to Exit Talks ABC News; July 5, 2005
Mechanics at Northwest Airlines Corp. said they asked to be
released from negotiations on Tuesday after Northwest rejected their pay-cut offer.
Northwest Mechanics To Vote On Strike July
2, 2005
Mechanics at Northwest Airlines have called for a vote to authorize a
strike, citing what their union said was a lack of flexibility on the part
of the carrier in contract talks.
Northwest Airlines' mechanics union authorizes strike vote USA Today |
July 1, 2005
A union representing mechanics at Northwest Airlines has authorized a strike
vote as the airline attempts to cut annual labor costs by $1.1 billion.
After months of contract squabbles, Northwest Airlines handed out pink slips
to 640 mechanics Wednesday.
Mediators Tell Northwest, Mechanics To Negotiate
June 10, 2005
Government mediators sent Northwest Airlines and the union representing its
mechanics back to the negotiating table, denying the carrier's request to
declare an impasse, the union said on Friday.
Northwest Seeks Flight Attendants In Case Of Strike
June 7, 2005
Northwest Airlines, embroiled in contentious union negotiations, is seeking
flight attendants to replace those who may walk off the job if talks break down.
Northwest Hires Mechanics In Case Of Strike - Union
June 2, 2005
Northwest Airlines has hired about 400 mechanics to replace those who may walk
off the job if negotiations on a wage deal break down, the mechanics union said
on Thursday.
Southwest Keeping Options Open On US Airways
June 8, 2005
Southwest Airlines on Wednesday said it was considering bidding for some assets
of US Airways which is slated to be bought by America West.
United
United Machinists Ratify Deal, July 21, 2005
Members of the union representing 20,000 groundworkers at bankrupt United
Airlines have ratified a five year contract that will save the carrier
USD$176 million a year, the International Association of Machinists said on
Thursday.
UAL Flight Attendants Threaten Work Stoppages: USA Today;
July 1, 2005
United flight attendants have threatened scattered work stoppages beginning
today and lasting throughout the holiday weekend. Called CHAOS — or Creating
Havoc Around Our System — the attendants have say they will force delays of
15 minutes to one hour on random flights around the country, according to
The Oakland Tribune. While that's far short of a full-fledged
strike, strategically placed disruptions could affect flights throughout
United's network — and force thousands of passengers to miss their
connections. The attendants have vowed to take such action if United moved
ahead with plans to abandon its pension obligations and offload those plans
to the federal government —something
United started doing Thursday. "We're going to fight for what little we
have left," said Harris, who noted that he has lost $10,000 in the last year
on salary and benefits cuts. "Our pension could be saved, but United won't
look at that." For its part, United says such a strike would be illegal,
adding that the airline would do whatever's necessary "to meet the travel
needs of customers," according to a Bloomberg News report in the
Sun-Sentinel of Fort Lauderdale.
United Reorganization Plan Expected August 1 July 1, 2005
United Airlines on Friday said it is on track to emerge from Chapter 11 in
the autumn even as it faces a potentially crippling strike going into a
heavily traveled holiday weekend.
US Takes Control Of United Flight Attendants' Pension
June 30, 2005
The US government on Thursday took over pension plans covering flight
attendants and other workers at United Airlines, a move that may trigger a
strike by the flight attendants.
The airline's flight attendants have warned that they could begin random walkouts Friday and continue throughout the holiday weekend if United moves ahead in its effort to turn pension plans over to the federal government, The Denver Post reports. "We're continuing our fight to save our plan," flight attendant spokeswoman Sarah Nelson Dela Cruz tells the Chicago Tribune (free registration). A United spokeswoman reiterated the airline's position that "any actions to disrupt our operations would be illegal and would only punish our customers and employees." The flight attendants "have every reason to be angry," says airline consultant Michael Boyd, but he wonders whether the threatened labor disruption is really a good idea. "It's an awful thing that's happening to them. But the solution isn't to kill the airline," he says. If the flight attendants follow through with their threat, flights through United's entire network could be at risk. Federal rules stipulate that planes can't fly without flight attendants, and a plane grounded in one city would ultimately force cancellations on flights between other cities. (Related item: If United goes, U.S. airline landscape would change)
United Reports USD$93 Million May Loss
June 28, 2005
UAL, parent of bankrupt United Airlines, on Tuesday reported a net loss of
USD$93 million in May, including USD$36 million for reorganization expenses.
US House Votes Against United Pension Default
June 24, 2005
The US House of Representatives voted on Friday to block bankrupt United
Airlines from defaulting on its pension plans and shifting them to the
nation's pension insurer, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC).
Flight Attendants Could Derail United Cost Savings
June 23, 2005
United Airlines flight attendants' attempts to save their pensions may prove
unsuccessful, discontent casts a shadow over United's restructuring and
could unravel progress recently made on cutting costs.
Machinists consider 5.5 percent pay cut June 22, 2005
United Airlines' baggage handlers, gate agents, ramp service workers and
other customer service employees soon might be working for less.
Union Urges Members To Ratify United Deal
June 17, 2005
The union representing some ground workers at United Airlines on Friday said
its negotiating committee has recommended that members ratify a deal that
would give the bankrupt carrier USD$176 million in annual savings.
US Takes Control Of United Pension Plan
June 14, 2005
The government has assumed control of the first of four pension plans it
plans to take over from bankrupt United Airlines, federal pension insurers
said on Tuesday.
Court Denies United Attendants' Bid To Save Pension
June 8, 2005
A federal district judge on Wednesday denied a bid by flight attendants at
United Airlines to block the government from assuming control of the group's
pension plan.
U.S. Airways
US Airways Files Bankruptcy Reorganization Plan
June 30, 2005
US Airways filed a new business plan with a Virginia bankruptcy court on
Thursday, and said it was on track to complete its merger with America West
Airlines by autumn.
OTHER WEBSITES AND LINKS
Airchives - Webseum of Commercial Aviation
Airline Toll-Free Numbers and Websites
Predatory Practices in the U.S. Airline Industry (2001)
The Best Paper Airplane in the World
U.S. Airways - Reports on Financial Condition of U.S. Airline Industry (Aug. 2004)
Wikipedia U.S. Airlines; Defunct Airlines
Deregulation Act Preemption and Effect on Passengers in the Airline Industry 51 Duke L. J. 1857