Reply #23: Interesting, but the reality appears more complicated.

[Karmadillo]

Below is a link from MSNBC regarding the dispute. I don't know enough about the allocation of concessions to say whether NW is placing an unfair burden on AMFA, but I don't see any evidence to support IAM's claim AMFA advocated a doubling of the burden on IAM. As things stand, I am baffled as to why IAM thinks scabbing for Northwest Airlines is a good idea. If union scabbing is now an acceptable practice, the labor movement in the US really is in dire straits.

Here's the link regarding the IAM charge and the AMFA denial:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8844277/

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Northwest management is pushing for $1.1 billion in annual labor cutbacks and has been seeking $176 million in concessions from AMFA and $107 million from the IAM. A Northwest spokesman confirmed Friday night that the airline is adhering to those targets.

The IAM represents about 14,400 Northwest agents, clerical workers, equipment service employees and stock clerks. AMFA represents just under 5,000 mechanics, cleaners and custodians, and has lost almost half its membership since 2001.

<edit>

DePace said a Northwest executive, whom he did not identify, confirmed that the IAM would have to take bigger cuts if AMFA got its way and reduced its concessionary amount. He said the executive acknowledged that AMFA approached Northwest about altering its formula for dividing up concessions among the labor unions.

DePace said his understanding of AMFA's proposed criteria led him to calculate that AMFA wants to reduce its cost cuts to $156 million and boost the IAM's share of cuts to $256 million.

"They are trying to sabotage our negotiations; why would another union do that?" DePace said in a Friday afternoon interview.

AMFA officials insisted Friday that DePace's information was incorrect.

"We did not suggest to Northwest Airlines how to reallocate their requests for $1.1 billion in concessions from its employees," said Jeff Mathews, AMFA contract coordinator. "We did not comment on any individual union, except for AMFA. We simply said that the criteria Northwest is using places a disproportionate burden for cuts on AMFA."

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