Carrier Says It Wants To Improve Work Environment

Northwest Airlines CEO Doug Steenland sent a letter this week to the 7,000-strong Association of Flight Attendants union, inviting them to meet to discuss ways to improve the attendants' working environment.

Flight attendants will likely have a few suggestions... such as giving some of their Chapter 11 pay concessions back, perhaps taken directly from the lucrative cash-and-stock bonus Steenland (right) received upon Northwest's emergence from bankruptcy.

However, Steenland encouraged union members to think of some cost-neutral suggestions.

"Specifically, I am writing to reiterate our invitation to the AFA to meet with the company to discuss these topics -- both within the context of the contract and in a broader sense that covers all aspects of the flight attendants' relationship with NWA," Steenland said in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Detroit News.

"The more expeditiously and creatively we can collaborate on improving our flight attendants' work environment and quality of life, the better our prospects will be for long-term success."

Kevin Griffin, president of the flight attendant's master executive council, said they'd love to meet with the carrier. "We're hoping there will be some substance to talk about," he said. "We'd definitely like to talk about quality of life."

Steenland hasn't exactly been the apple of flight attendants' eyes, since they agreed to $195 million a year in wage and benefits cuts, moves the carrier said was required to emerge from bankruptcy. Indeed, the union called for Steenland's resignation just last month, as ANN reported, accusing him of mismanaging the airline.

Steenland also indicated the carrier had plans to hire 1,150 new flight attendants by the end of the year and would draw upon 70,000 flight attendant applications received this year.

"I believe this is a positive sign and a strong vote of confidence in NWA's future," he said. "However, I also believe that together we can do even more."

Flight attendants apparently agree, and it looks like the meeting will happen. Still... Steenland may want to sit with his back to the wall, just in case.

FMI: www.afanet.org, www.nwa.com