The Militant - January 17, 2000 -- Flight attendants picket Northwest Airlines across the country

Vol.64/No.2 January 17, 2000

Flight attendants picket Northwest Airlines across the country

BY MARY MARTIN
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Flight attendants at Northwest Airlines who are members of Teamsters Local 2000 held informational picketing at several airports across the country on December 15 to press their demands for a just contract. According to a union hot line message, the union members handed out thousands of flyers to travelers.

Flight attendants from Sun Country Airlines and workers at Northwest Airlines who are members of the International Association of Machinists joined the actions in some cities. The flight attendants, who are working under a contract which expired more than three years ago, are fighting for improvements in working conditions, job protection measures, and pay and pensions.

Last August, some 70 percent of the flight attendants rejected a tentative agreement with Northwest Airlines. Northwest flight attendants do not have parity with their peers at other major U.S. airlines, ranking 17th in starting pay and 15th in pay after six years of service.

They can be forced to work up to 18-hour-duty days. The company has taken a hard-line stance against the flight attendants' demands, calling them "unrealistic" in letters sent to the flight attendants.

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