Well, in fair disclosure concerning my earlier comments, I've been a member of both ALPA and FEIA over the years so I have to consider a little historical perspective in times like this.
The latest ALPA off the record spin is that the mechanics want the pilots and F/A's to continue working so it will cost NW more money. Maybe so, who knows? As I recall, the NW pilots have a contractual right not to cross a picket line, not sure about the flight attendants.
Anyway, here's the public pronouncement through the NW ALPA hotline:
___________________________________
MEC Hotline Friday, Aug. 19th.
This is Northwest Master Executive Council (MEC) Chairman Mark McClain
with a Special NWA MEC Hotline recorded on Friday, August 19, 2005, at
11:03 p.m. Central Time.
AMFA STRIKES – ALPA PILOTS TO REPORT TO WORK (8/19/05)
At 11:01 p.m. CT Friday, August 19, 2005, NWA AMFA's leadership called a
strike after AMFA and NWA management negotiators failed to reach
agreement on a new contract before the 30-day-cooling-off period expired.
The NWA MEC, in a Special Meeting held via teleconference, elected to
not engage in a sympathy strike, judging that it would not be in the
best interests of NWA pilots. As a result, all NWA pilots should report
to work as scheduled and fly their trips as assigned. Again, all NWA
pilots should report to work as scheduled and fly their trips as assigned.
Management has advised ALPA that operations will likely be affected over
the coming days as a result of a large number of aircraft currently out
of service and a high volume of MELs on in-service aircraft, so please
continue to exercise your patience and professionalism.
We will continue to update you with new information as it becomes
available. Please check this Hotline regularly.
EXTRA VIGILANCE RECOMMENDED (8/19/05)
This is a reminder that you should be extra vigilant when performing
your duties. Be careful to ensure that you have the correct aircraft
logbooks and that all aircraft and flight paperwork is properly
completed and up to date. Line checks are valid until 0600Z of the
eighth UTC day, including the day of the check. Information on
time-limited MELs and CDLs can be found on page 15 of the MEL
introduction. All aspects of our operation are subject to increased FAA
scrutiny, so make sure you have all required documents, equipment, and
up-to-date manuals in your possession. Please report any unusual
activity or any safety or security problems to the ALPA Safety Operation
Center (800-NWA-ALPA ext. 374).
SECURITY/SAFETY CONCERNS DURING AN AMFA STRIKE (8/19/05)
You may encounter AMFA picket lines or face other safety/security issues
while attempting to report for work. If you have safety concerns, you
must contact your chief pilot and explain your situation and concerns.
NWA management is responsible for ensuring your safety when you report
to work. After you talk to your chief pilot, please call the ASOC to
inform ALPA of the situation.
INDIVIDUAL SYMPATHY STRIKE QUESTION (8/19/05)
A pilot who refuses to cross AMFA picket lines and report to work may
suffer consequences. ALPA does not know how the company will deal with
this type of situation. There is a risk the company will take
disciplinary action or discharge a pilot who engages in this activity by
asserting that it believes the right to honor a picket line in this
manner is not protected by the Railway Labor Act. There is also a risk
the company might treat a pilot who engages in this activity as joining
in the AMFA strike, with his right to return to work governed by legal
doctrines for striking employees. If this occurs, challenges by ALPA
and/or the pilot to the company's action would ultimately be decided in
legal proceedings.
Given these circumstances, pilots contemplating individually withholding
their services should call the ALPA Safety Operations Center
(800-NWA-ALPA, ext. 374) beforehand to obtain further guidance.
*** This marks the end of today's Hotline. Until next time, fly safe,
fly the contract and remember that over 500 Northwest pilots are still
on furlough.