AMFA Asks National Mediation Board for Release from Northwest Negotiations

July 5, 2005
Strike potential grows as Northwest mechanics request end to mediation.

Minneapolis, MN, July 5, 2005 -- Northwest Airlines mechanics, cleaners and custodians, frustrated by the airline's refusal to take contract talks seriously, have asked the National mediation Board (NMB) to release them from the process. The release, if granted, would automatically start the 30-day cooling off period before a strike, in accordance with the Railway Labor Act that governs airline labor relations.

"Northwest Airlines has already laid off AMFA members in greater numbers than any other employee group and wants to continue making AMFA bear an unfair portion of the savings the airline says it needs. Northwest already rejected our substantial offer to help out further," said O.V. Delle-Femine, national director of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA).

"The truth is that Northwest's biggest problems today are the high cost of fuel and under-funded pensions, not labor. Management is trying to exploit this econimic situation to bust our union. Mechanics at low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines make more than our Northwest members, and that's even before any additional pay cuts would occur," he said.

According to Delle-Femine, "Northwest management, by not budging from their initial economic proposal, has shown that they never intended to negotiate in earnest. That leaves us no option except to ask the NMB to end the talks and move us forward toward a strike."

Last week, AMFA's national leadership authorized a strike vote. AMFA's Northwest Airlines members have until 10:00 a.m. on July 19 to cast their ballots. Approval would allow the national leaders to call a strike at any time of their choosing after the end of the mandated 30-day cooling-off period.

Northwest summarily dismissed a recent AMFA proposal that included a 16.1 percent pay cut and other concessions. The airline has not moved from its initial proposal that seeks to save about $176 million per year through extensive job losses, pay reductions of 25-26 percent and other major concessions.