NWA Pilots Seek Reprieve on Hours

    April 23, 2007
    At the core of the union's request are rules that require pilots to fly more hours than they did before the contract went into effect last year.

    Source The Detroit Free Press

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    Apr. 20 -- The pilots union at Northwest Airlines has asked management to roll back some of the concessions that pilots accepted last year.

    At the core of the union's request are rules that require pilots to fly more hours than they did before the contract went into effect last year.

    "We expect Northwest management to seriously consider negotiating improvements in our most onerous work rules and reconsider some of our concessions that have most adversely affected the quality of our pilots' lives," said Ray Miller, vice chairman of Northwest's pilots union.

    His comments came before a rally among Northwest flight attendants and pilots in Belleville on Thursday that drew more than 90 workers. The rally followed picketing at Detroit Metro Airport that drew even more workers, who are frustrated with wage cuts, higher benefit costs and what the unions call an unfair plan for stock payouts planned for executives.

    Last month, Northwest said it plans to give 400 executives 4.9% of the reorganized company, or an estimated $380 million, based on Northwest's projected value of $7.8 billion when it exits bankruptcy. Of that, 60% will be in restricted stock and 40% will be in stock options. That averages out to $950,000 in restricted stock and options per executive.

    As for the stock plan, the company has said it must offer compensation to keep and attract executives. Asked about the pilots' request early Thursday evening, Northwest declined to comment.

    Flight attendants lost a court ruling earlier this month after they asked a judge to force the airline to scale back concessions the airline imposed on them last year.

    Contact JEWEL GOPWANI at 313-223-4550 or .

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