Mon, May 09, 2005
500 Seattle Jobs Threatened
Alaska Airlines baggage
handlers overwhelmingly rejected management's latest contract offer
on Friday. Company executives had threatened in January to
outsource all of the ramp work in Seattle, and must now decide
whether to proceed with that course of action
"Our members are looking squarely in the face the possibility of
losing their jobs," said Robert De Pace, President of IAM District
143, according to the Seattle Times. "But they are tired of being
extorted by constantly holding this gun to our heads of farming out
the work."
"This vote sends a clear message that IAM members will not
support Alaska's transformation plan at the cost of their
security," said De Pace. "The IAM is prepared to immediately resume
bargaining to address the company's competitive needs while
preserving our members' jobs."
A statement from the union said that 87 percent of the members
rejected the offer, and 85 percent authorized a strike. The most
recent contract offered wages reduced by almost 25 percent, higher
contributions for health insurance, and the elimination of many
shift and overtime differentials. The contract would have prevented
outsourcing for only four years.
Dennis Hamel, Alaska Airlines vice president of employee
services, sent an e-mail to employees Friday afternoon saying the
company "will now work to reach a decision by the end of May on
subcontracting the Seattle ramp function," according to the Seattle
Times.
De Pace said that union lawyers would seek a temporary
restraining order or sue the company if management decides the fire
the Seattle employees without resuming contract talks.
Alaska Airlines has asked for $112 million in wage and benefit
concessions from its unions, and wants $18 million from the baggage
handlers. Last week, a federal arbitrator approved a new labor
contract for the airline's pilots. Pilots took an average pay
reduction of 26 percent, effective May 1st.
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