BY AUTUMN KNOWLTON
SEATTLE - On November 25 workers from Northwest Airlines and
Alaska Airlines gathered in front of the SeaTac airport here to
demand fair contracts. For the maximum participation by
workers, there were two rallies, one for those on swing shift
and another for workers on day shift. About 65 unionists
gathered for the noontime rally, and about 30 for the one in
the afternoon.
The union members and others gathered at the main entrance to the airport on the one of the busiest travel days of the year to draw attention to the workers' situation at the two airlines. Participants carried picket signs with slogans such as "Alaska profits, employees lose," and "We gave then, you give now." The rally was organized by the International Association of Machinists (IAM) locals 1040 and 2202. Also participating were members of Teamsters Local 2000, which represents flight attendants at Northwest.
Workers picketed at the busy corner and chanted "What do we want? Contract! When do we want it? Now!" and "2-4-6-8, come on Northwest, it's getting late!" Among the participants in the afternoon rally was a striker from the United Steelworkers of America local of about 300 members who have walked out against Kaiser Aluminum. He spoke during the rally to offer solidarity and explain the issues of the USWA strike, which include pushing back the company's demands to eliminate seniority, subcontract work to nonunion companies, and give a meager wage increase that doesn't even keep up with inflation.
The rallies came after a series of demonstrations around the country earlier in the year organized by Northwest flight attendants to demand a fair contract. Most of the major work groups at Northwest - flight attendants, ticket agents, customer service agents, cleaners, stores workers, mechanics, and baggage handlers - have been working under the terms of the expired contract for 25 months. The pilots are the exception to this, winning a favorable contract through a brief strike in September.
Workers at Alaska Airlines have been working under an expired contract for 15 months. These include mechanics, cleaners, stores workers, warehouse workers, baggage handlers, and customer service agents.
Autumn Knowlton is a member of the Young Socialists and of the International Association of Machinists Local 2202 at Alaska Airlines.