“Time has run out,” Northwest warned in its request to Judge Allan Gropper to impose a deadline on the unions to reach an agreement with management, or face an “orderly liquidation” that would result in the termination of the remaining 35,000 workers still employed.

Two days later, leaders of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) announced they would place the company’s latest concession demands to a vote by the striking airline mechanics. The company now wants the unionists to agree to a layoff of nearly 4,000 mechanics—90 percent of its members—while offering those whose jobs are being eliminated just four weeks’ severance pay, down from a pre-strike offer of 26 weeks.

Northwest’s latest proposal includes jobs for only about 500 of the striking mechanics, and up to 580 for those who have replaced the strikers. Northwest has already outsourced the jobs of all striking cleaners and custodians, who are also members of AMFA.

In announcing that they are putting the company’s offer up for a vote, AMFA negotiators in a written statement explained that “when you look at the details you will be hard pressed to find anything good.”

“Their offer is audacious and unrealistic,” AMFA president O.V. Delle-Femine, told the New York Times. “I think what it does is it solidifies our strikers and it shows it’s worth staying out because of what the company is offering.” Voting is expected to take two weeks.

Some 4,400 AMFA members walked out August 19 over Northwest Airlines’ demands for a 25 percent pay cut, a pension freeze, and the layoff of half the striking mechanics. The company filed for bankruptcy four weeks later, and since that time has further upped its demand for job cuts.

The striking unionists continue to picket at the Twin Cities airport and at Northwest maintenance facilities. Beginning with the Halloween weekend, trade unionists and others will be invited to join the mechanics on expanded picket lines.  
 
 
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