AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said the U.S. labor movement is very concerned about the fate of 4,400 mechanics and ground personnel forced to strike Minneapolis-based Northwest Airlines. But their independent, non-AFL-CIO union, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, is another matter.
In a wide-ranging press conference, Sweeney noted the AMFA strikers are walking picket lines without a strike fund and with their health benefits running out. He blamed AMFA for that situation, and said it has not asked other unions for help, preferring, over the years, a go-it-alone strategy.
"Our first priority would be the workers themselves, and we will do everything to help them," Sweeney said at a press conference Tuesday.
Northwest forced its workers to strike Aug. 19 with demands for $176 million in concessions to help prevent it from filing for bankruptcy. It said it would achieve those cuts by firing half the workers and cutting the pay of the rest by one-quarter. It brought in at least 1,300 "striker replacement" mechanics whom it had trained for 18 months. It wants a total of at least $1.1 billion from all its union workers.
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Before the strike began, AMFA asked the Machinists -- the union it ousted at both Northwest and United in what the AFL-CIO calls illegal raiding -- to honor AMFA picket lines. IAM turned the request down, saying, among other things, that AMFA crossed its lines and harassed its members elsewhere, notably at Northwest's Twin Cities hub.
"This is a very serious situation and we are very concerned about the workers," Sweeney said. "We don't think the strategy of this so-called union is the right one to achieve a contract. To undertake a strike without resources or a plan . . . it's the workers who wind up making the sacrifice," he said.
While Sweeney criticized AMFA, he also warned that "it would be a very very serious situation if the workers lose this strike." Business analysts say other airlines are watching the outcome of the Northwest battle for clues in how to attack their unionized workers. Sweeney said the AFL-CIO is consulting with other airline unions about it and urging them to stick together in an united front.
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That could be difficult. Besides IAM's response, the Air Line Pilots Association is not honoring AMFA's lines. The Teamsters told members to make their own decisions on the struggle, though IBT leaders and staff canceled all Northwest tickets.
Mark Gruenberg writes for Press Associates, Inc., news service. Used by permission.
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AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said the U.S. labor movement is very concerned about the fate of 4,400 mechanics and ground personnel forced to strike Minneapolis-based Northwest Airlines. But their independent, non-AFL-CIO union, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, is another matter.
In a wide-ranging press conference, Sweeney noted the AMFA strikers are walking picket lines without a strike fund and with their health benefits running out. He blamed AMFA for that situation, and said it has not asked other unions for help, preferring, over the years, a go-it-alone strategy.
“Our first priority would be the workers themselves, and we will do everything to help them,” Sweeney said at a press conference Tuesday.
Northwest forced its workers to strike Aug. 19 with demands for $176 million in concessions to help prevent it from filing for bankruptcy. It said it would achieve those cuts by firing half the workers and cutting the pay of the rest by one-quarter. It brought in at least 1,300 “striker replacement” mechanics whom it had trained for 18 months. It wants a total of at least $1.1 billion from all its union workers.
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Before the strike began, AMFA asked the Machinists — the union it ousted at both Northwest and United in what the AFL-CIO calls illegal raiding — to honor AMFA picket lines. IAM turned the request down, saying, among other things, that AMFA crossed its lines and harassed its members elsewhere, notably at Northwest’s Twin Cities hub.
“This is a very serious situation and we are very concerned about the workers,” Sweeney said. “We don’t think the strategy of this so-called union is the right one to achieve a contract. To undertake a strike without resources or a plan . . . it’s the workers who wind up making the sacrifice,” he said.
While Sweeney criticized AMFA, he also warned that “it would be a very very serious situation if the workers lose this strike.” Business analysts say other airlines are watching the outcome of the Northwest battle for clues in how to attack their unionized workers. Sweeney said the AFL-CIO is consulting with other airline unions about it and urging them to stick together in an united front.
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That could be difficult. Besides IAM’s response, the Air Line Pilots Association is not honoring AMFA’s lines. The Teamsters told members to make their own decisions on the struggle, though IBT leaders and staff canceled all Northwest tickets.
Mark Gruenberg writes for Press Associates, Inc., news service. Used by permission.