Northwest Pilots Overwhelmingly Authorize Strike, Citing Unresolved Compensation Issues

Pilots of Northwest Airlines have turned up the pressure on the airline by overwhelmingly authorizing a strike, with over 99% of those voting, or 5,279 pilots, approving the move, according to Paul Omodt, spokesman for the Air Line Pilots Association. The strike authorization comes as contract talks between the airline and two of its unions, the Air Line Pilots Association and the International Association of Machinists, have stalled due to unresolved compensation issues. The dispute has been ongoing for 21 months, with Northwest yet to present its compensation proposal to pilots.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 99% of eligible pilots, or 5,279, voted to authorize a strike against Northwest Airlines, with a high turnout of 99% of those eligible to participate.
• The strike authorization is a result of unresolved compensation issues, with pilots seeking higher raises in recognition of their sacrifices during the airline's financial struggles in the 1990s.
• Contract talks between Northwest and the two unions, ALPA and IAM, have been ongoing for 21 months, with talks between ALPA and Northwest resuming Sunday under the direction of federal mediator Jack Kane.
• National Mediation Board member Maggie Jackson is monitoring the proceedings, with two of the three National Mediation Board members already sitting as federal mediators to oversee the contract talks.
• The dispute between Northwest and its unions has a long history, dating back to 1993 when union members agreed to pay cuts in exchange for stock and board seats.
• The IAM is in a work slowdown, which has caused many cancelled or delayed flights since early April, with the union leaders claiming they are simply following work rules to the letter.

Statistics:

• 99% of eligible pilots participated in the strike authorization vote.
• 5,279 pilots voted to authorize a strike (99% of those voting).
• 21 months: the length of time contract talks have been ongoing between Northwest and the two unions.
• 1993: the year when union members agreed to pay cuts ranging from 9.4% to 15.5% over three years to save the airline $886 million.
• 24%: the percentage of the carrier's stock given to union members as part of the 1993 agreement.
• 3 seats: the number of seats on Northwest's board given to union members as part of the 1993 agreement.
• 1996: the year when union members' wages snapped back to preconcession levels, with an additional increase of about 3% granted.
• April 1996: the month when Northwest began presenting its compensation proposal to pilots.

Sources:

• Associated Press, "Pilots Turn Up Pressure on Northwest Airlines", by Warren Mills.