The Militant(logo) 
    Vol.63/No.9           March 8, 1999 
 
 
Northwest Machinists Accept Contract, Gov't Extends Probe Of Unions  

BY MARY MARTIN
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A proposed contract between Northwest Airlines and the International Association of Machinists (IAM) has passed, according to preliminary results announced by the IAM District 143 officials. Ground operations workers voted 3,277 to 2,038 in favor of the contract. Clerical and passenger employees voted the contract up 6,249 to 2,071.

Before the vote, IAM officials urged members covered in the agreement to vote "yes," so as not to face a possible several-month delay before negotiations would resume or the Federal Mediator would authorize a "30-day cooling off period," in other words, a countdown to a strike. Many IAM members said the new contract offer was worse than the one they rejected overwhelmingly last July. The company's latest offer increases part-time jobs up to 20 percent. Workers point out that over time, this will erode the number of full-time jobs and reduce overall wage and benefits levels.

Not included in the contract are 8,000 mechanics, cleaners, custodians, and other workers who were separated from the IAM in a union representation election that took place in November, which the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) won.

Federal mediation board probes unions
In a related development, the National Mediation Board (NMB) announced that it was extending until May 19 its field investigation into the IAM's challenge of the AMFA victory. During the representation election AMFA officials campaigned against what they termed the ineffectiveness of the IAM and also against the idea of labor solidarity and unity.

The IAM officials did not organize to lead a fight against AMFA's union-busting bid. Instead, hoping to outflank AMFA, the IAM tops set up a special, separate union district for the mechanics and cleaners, District 149, capitulating to the reactionary political course of AMFA officials.

AMFA national director O.V. Delle-Femine responded to the NMB's ruling in a letter to Northwest mechanics and cleaners. He stated, "This corrupt federal agency must and will be exposed by the media.... We must remember that this is not the company's fault; Our adversary is the [NMB]." He added, "We must not let them destroy your carrier." Delle-Femine said AMFA officials are planning a march in protest of the NMB's decision at Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport and to picket the Washington, D.C., NMB office. The effect of the IAM's challenge -besides indefinitely postponing contract negotiations for AMFA-organized workers - has been to open the door to a lengthy government probe into union matters.

Meanwhile, in a February 20 action a delegation of flight attendants tried to focus attention on their demands for a just contract with Northwest. Organized by Teamsters Local 2000, a group of nine flight attendants attempted to deliver petitions signed by 8,000 members to the company's negotiating team in session in downtown Minneapolis.

Federal Mediator Danielle Piculin initially shut the door in the face of Teamster's Local 2000 representative Billie Davenport, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. When Northwest company officials realized several media representatives were present, they quickly agreed to accept the petitions. Pay, work rules, and retirement pensions are key issues the flight attendants are demanding be addressed.

Mary Martin works on the ramp at Northwest at Washington National Airport and is a member of IAM Local 1759.  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home