Both ALPA and the PFAA have already agreed to “interim” pay cuts amounting to $332 million. Northwest through the bankruptcy court imposed another 19 percent “interim” pay cut on the IAM. If the unions do not agree to the layoffs and pay cuts that Northwest is demanding by mid-January, the company says it will ask the bankruptcy judge to impose these terms.

Outside the rally, striking Northwest mechanics and cleaners represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) distributed a leaflet titled, “WE STAND WITH NWA UNION WORKERS.” The mechanics have been on strike since August 19. The other unions representing Northwest workers have asked their members not to honor their picket lines.

“AMFA and Northwest Labor Solidarity Committee offer and pledge their support and solidarity to all Northwest Unionized Workers,” the leaflet explained. “Please look at what happened to AMFA as an example. NWA outsourced their jobs from over 9,000 to 880! This is their plan for you.”

—Nelson Gonzalez  
 
Workers at New York Starbucks
picket for union recognition
NEW YORK—Twenty workers and supporters picketed a Starbucks coffee shop at Union Square November 25 to demand union recognition and a guaranteed 20-hour workweek that would qualify them for health-care benefits. The starting wage at Starbucks here is $8.50 an hour and many workers average only 16 hours a week.

Workers at three Starbucks coffee shops in New York have joined the Philadelphia-based Industrial Workers of the World. Starbucks has refused to recognize the union. On November 18, the National Labor Relations Board issued a complaint charging Starbucks with retaliating against pro-union workers. A hearing is set for February 7.

Workers at several Starbucks coffee chains in Canada and New Zealand have also organized unions. In Auckland 20 to 30 workers, members of New Zealand’s Unite union, went on strike November 23 to demand higher wages.

—Arrin Hawkins
 
 
Related articles:
N.Y. transit workers resist ‘productivity drive,’ health-care and pension cuts for new hires
1,200 miners, other workers march in St. Louis to back union organizing
Dec. 10 actions promote union organizing
New Zealand: KFC workers demand pay hike
Ireland: 100,000 rally to back ferry workers
Seafarers win fight against union busting  
 
 
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