Release #05.NWA
August 19, 2005

Northwest Pilots Will Not Honor AMFA Strike

Bloomington, Minn. --- The Master Executive Council (MEC) of the NWA chapter of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l has decided that NWA pilots will not honor the picket lines of striking NWA employees represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association. Union leaders judged that a sympathy strike action was not in the best interests of NWA pilots and other NWA employees. 

"I am deeply disappointed the parties were unable to reach a negotiated settlement," NWA MEC Chairman Capt. Mark McClain said. "The current environment requires labor costs to be part of an overall solution. Unfortunately, Northwest management continues to overplay its hand by demanding labor costs well below its competitors."

ALPA has stated since April 2003 that NWA management and all NWA employees would need to participate in a joint solution to help the company overcome its financial difficulties. NWA pilots acted in December 2004 when they agreed to provide NWA with $265 million annually in wage, work rule and benefit changes.

"There is still time to secure our company's future, but it will require a combined effort by NWA employees and management," McClain said. "Union leaders and senior management must meet face to face and hammer out a joint solution now. It will not be simple or painless. Everyone, including management, will need to share in the sacrifice." 

The NWA chapter of ALPA represents 5,700 NWA pilots. Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world's oldest and largest pilot union representing more than 64,000 pilots at 41 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at http://www.alpa.org.

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SOURCE: Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) 
ALPA CONTACT: Hal Myers, (717) 805-7929