Northwest Flight Attendants Set the Tone for Upcoming Meeting

The AFA-CWA wasted no time in setting the tone for the Sept 26 meeting between Northwest flight attendants and the airline at the National Mediation Board (NMB). In a statement today the AWA-CWA states they have asked the NMB to declare an impasses to invoke a 30 day cooling off period prior to a strike. Kinda throws a bucket of ice water on any warm fuzzies you might have had about this meeting next week doesn't it.

I'll point out the rhetoric the AFA-CWA is using because, again, I think its indicative of the desparation of their strike tactic.

"When management unilaterally cut flight attendant pay, benefits and work rules, they mocked the integrity of the NMB's role in promoting consensual resolution of labor disputes," said Patricia Friend, AFA-CWA International President.

So apparently the NMB should be offended by Northwest's actions and its the AFA-CWA's job to point that out? Once again they are casting a wide net trying to gather others underneath the umbrella of their "cause". Airline consultant Michael Boyd, who tends to say some pretty smart stuff has this quote regarding the AFA-CWA's position:

"It moves it closer to a resolution," said airline consultant Michael Boyd. "Frankly, I think the flight attendants have gotten stuck in a difficult situation. They may have maneuvered themselves into a corner."

Exactly.