Apr 15, 2008 6:56 pm US/Central
NWA Employee Unions Aren't Quick To Embrace Merger
(WCCO)
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The mechanic's union leadership said they are in favor of anything that promotes job growth not job loss. However, the Northwest mechanic's strike several years ago cut the workforce from 4,400 to 800. (File)
CBS
Northwest Airlines employee unions aren't quick to embrace the merger with Delta Air Lines, even with the promise that there will be no job loss among frontline employees. No group opposes the deal more than the pilots.
"The labor discord which will result from the current structure of this merger is likely to overwhelm the potential economic positives," said Northwest Pilot's Master Executive Council Dave Stevens.
Northwest pilots feel they are being unfairly treated in the merger when it comes to seniority and pay scale, which gives Delta pilots the advantage.
"I think it's very unfortunate that the Delta pilots negotiated without the Northwest pilots in agreement," said Stevens
Delta management says it's not too late to iron out the differences which now divides the two pilot groups.
"We still have eight to nine months during the regulatory process to bring them on board," said Delta Executive Vice President Mike Campbell.
The Northwest flight attendants are also skeptical and concerned about the merger's impact on their jobs.
"We don't have as complicated a deal as ALPA (Air Line Pilots Association) due to compensation rates and the changing of fleets but we are looking for maintaining jobs, good jobs, good pay," said Northwest Flight Attendants Union President Kevin Griffin.
The union plans to pressure the company to give about 14,000 Delta flight attendants who don't have a contract union representation.
Meantime, Northwest pilots don't plan to touchdown without a fight.
"We will not give up. We will use everything in our scope to make sure our pilots are fairly treated as well as Northwest employees," said Stevens.
It appears the biggest job loss will be at the corporate level. Some managers and administrators will be offered voluntary severance packages but Delta admits there will be lay offs.
The mechanic's union leadership said they are in favor of anything that promotes job growth not job loss. However, the Northwest mechanic's strike several years ago cut the workforce from 4,400 to 800. Only 70 union employees remain the rest crossed the picket line.
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