The union representing mechanics at eight US airlines said on Friday its member chapters could support a possible strike at Northwest Airlines, but Northwest's other labor groups have shown few signs that they would honor a picket line.
Leaders of Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association at all airlines represented by the union unanimously passed a resolution to support members at Northwest in any way necessary if they strike. The resolution allows all AMFA chapters to strike in sympathy if their contracts permit it.
AMFA's Northwest unit has said it will strike if it cannot reach a deal with the airline by August 20.
The union represents aircraft maintenance technicians and related personnel at Alaska Airlines, ATA, Horizon Airlines, Independence Air, Mesaba Airlines, Northwest, Southwest and United Airlines.
While the resolution marks the first major show of support by organized labor for AMFA's Northwest chapter, it remains to be seen whether officials at Northwest will be swayed.
"With the national organization throwing its considerable weight behind the mechanics at Northwest, Northwest's management must now listen very carefully to what the union has to say and take their demands very seriously," said Anthony Sabino, airline expert and professor at St. John's University.
Alan Sbarra, airline analyst at Roach & Sbarra, however, said a job action by mechanics throughout the industry would result in only minor disruptions even if they went on strike because their work could be outsourced to outside vendors.
"Our contingency plans do not include maintenance support from airlines with employees represented by AMFA," a Northwest spokesperson said.
Northwest, facing possible bankruptcy, is seeking USD$1.1 billion in annual labor savings. The carrier said AMFA members must provide USD$176 million.
Northwest's current proposal would terminate 53 percent of its AMFA-represented positions and cut the pay of the remaining employees by about 25 percent. The union said that proposal stands no chance of ratification by its members.
Government mediators released Northwest and its mechanics from negotiations in July, triggering a 30 day cooling off period that could lead to a strike on August 20 if the two parties fail to reach a deal.
If Northwest's mechanics strike next week, there is a good chance they'll walk without support from other labor groups at the airline. AMFA so far has failed to rally the official support of other Northwest labor groups.
None of its fellow unions has specifically ruled out a sympathy strike, but none has pledged support. While it would welcome backing from others, the union said it is prepared to go it alone if necessary.
"Our members realize that this is a do-or-die situation for us. They know that it's something we have to do," said Steve MacFarlane, AMFA's assistant national director. "There is no ambiguity here, and we will strike."
The airline has said it has a comprehensive contingency plan that would allow the airline to operate during a walkout.
The International Association of Machinists, Northwest's largest union, which used to represent the mechanics, said years of bad blood between them prevents cooperation.
"IAM members will not be duped into standing with AMFA," said IAM General Vice President Robert Roach in an August 9 letter to AMFA. "AMFA has never honored an IAM picket line."
The letter was in response to an earlier AMFA request for support. Roach wrote that AMFA has called on Northwest to extract USD$150 million in annual concessions from IAM members. Currently, the airline is asking the IAM for USD$107 million.
The Professional Flight Attendants Association said its membership is currently voting on whether to allow it leaders to call a sympathy strike.
The Air Line Pilots Association also has not said whether it would honor a mechanics picket line. ALPA said its leaders would not make a decision on whether to support AMFA's strike until after one has begun.
"The fact that they haven't expressed support, I wouldn't take that as a negative," said airline analyst Sbarra. "It's nice to have but it's not a necessary thing."
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