Ten days into the strike of Northwest mechanics, as the aftereffects of Hurricane Katrina pelted the Memphis International Airport, a dozen poncho-clad men marched in solemn circles bearing signs that read “AMFA On Strike.”
“What we are doing is very important,” said the Aviation Mechanics Fraternal Association spokesman Billy Brant. “A union-regulated pay scale sets the standard for the entire industry, and our goal is to retain an acceptable standard of living for organized labor.”
Northwest Airlines has lost over $3 billion since 2001, and has been forced to lower the wages of mechanics and cleaning crews in an effort to cut costs.
“We were prepared to take a 16.1 percent pay cut at last offer,” said Brant. “Management says that they are willing to accept a 25.7 percent cut, but they neglect to mention the $200-a-month increase in our medical insurance premiums.”
“So what they actually have on the table is about a 46 percent reduction in pay and benefits, which is unacceptable,” he said. “I have a family to provide for.”
On the other side of the airport grounds a young man reports to work through a less-used entrance. He is one of the newly hired “scab” mechanics that are taking
over the duties of the striking workers.
“Honestly, I’m exhausted,” said the mechanic, who does not wish to be named. “I’ve been working 15 hours a day for the last seven days and it is starting to take its toll on me.”
The scab mechanics are under increasing scrutiny from management, the striking workers, and the general public.
“We come in through a different entrance everyday, now,” said the mechanic. “I have these AMFA guys taking my picture, asking me if I’m a Christian and how do I sleep at night. Well, honestly I sleep pretty well.
“We have a lot of good people doing a very hard job and doing it well. We are currently working with 38 mechanics when they usually have over 90, so basically we are doing twice as much work and at half the cost,” he said.
The unions of pilots and flight attendants have not joined in the strike, but are actively supportive of the striking mechanics.
“Not only is the FAA constantly looking over my shoulder, but we’re getting heat from inside the company as well,” he said. “Pilots are a little less than helpful and the flight attendants stuff paper towels down the toilets and stuff. I got six calls last week just for stopped up toilets,” he said. “What these people fail to realize is that if we weren’t out here fixing these planes they wouldn’t have a job, either.”
Some University of Memphis students have been affected by the increased delays.
“My dad was supposed to fly back from Montana on a Northwest flight last night and he hasn’t arrived yet,” said David Boone, a senior criminal justice major. “I can only assume that this is because of the strike.”
However, other students have experienced nothing out of the ordinary.
“I had friends arrive in town this morning and there weren’t any problems,” said Betsy Wine, a senior business major. “They flew Northwest and the plane wasn’t even late.”
Regardless of the effects, there is no immediate end in sight for the strike.
“With the increase in number of delays and mechanical problems, we are hoping to be back talking to management in the next two weeks,” said Brant.
“I don’t see this ending any time soon,” said the unnamed mechanic.
