----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, March 10, 2001 1:50 AM Subject: [mayday2k] Reuters: Bush Blocks Northwest Air Strike [STOPNATO.ORG.UK] STOP NATO: NO PASARAN! - HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------- ListBot Sponsor -------------------------- Build a marketing database and send targeted HTML and text e-mail newsletters to your customers with List Builder. http://www.listbuilder.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- "It's important for our economy but, more important, it's important for the hard-working people of America to make sure air service is not disrupted," Bush said in announcing the action during a speech on his tax-cut proposal in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. " Subj: [mayday2k] Reuters: Bush Blocks Northwest Air Strike Date: 3/9/01 4:41:55 PM Mountain Standard Time From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Bush Blocks Northwest Air Strike Orders 60-Day Cooling-Off Period in Mechanics Dispute By Steve Holland WASHINGTON, March 9, Reuters - Vowing to "protect the flying public," President George W. Bush on Friday blocked a looming strike by Northwest Airlines mechanics for 60 days and said he would not let other labor disputes slow commercial flights in America. It's important for our economy but, more important, it's important for the hard-working people of America to make sure air service is not disrupted," Bush said in announcing the action during a speech on his tax-cut proposal in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. At a time when air passengers are increasingly frustrated by flight delays and cancellations and long lines at airports, mechanics at Northwest Airlines Corp., the fourth-largest airline, are threatening to strike over contract talks. The flight attendants' union at No. 1 airline United Airlines has alerted members it may strike if it is not taken into account in merger talks with US Airways. And Delta Air Lines -- the No. 3 airline -- and the Air Line Pilots Association are embroiled in a contract dispute. Northwest's mechanics, cleaners and custodians have been negotiating with Eagan, Minnesota-based Northwest since October 1996. Talks are stalled over issues including wages, back pay, and other benefits. They broke off on Feb. 9. Bush signed an executive order establishing a three-member Presidential Emergency Board effective at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, when union members technically are free to walk off the job. The move effectively stops any strike for 60 days. For the first 30 days the National Mediation Board will hear both sides and report to Bush whether it has a non-binding settlement to recommend. If the parties refuse the recommendation, a subsequent 30-day cooling-off period would take place. "I'm issuing an executive order to protect the flying public in a time when Northwest Airlines and the mechanics are having trouble resolving differences, and they need time to do so. This order that I signed today will prevent any disruption of air service for the next 60 days," Bush said. He urged mediators to make sure the parties negotiate in good faith. It was the third action Bush has taken in his young presidency that labor considers anti-union. He has signaled he will sign legislation approved by the Republican-controlled Congress striking down a contentious Clinton administration workplace rule aimed at curbing repetitive strain injuries. And he has signed executive orders repealing union-friendly practices in government contracting. Two Senate Democrats who have been outspoken critics of Bush on the other labor issues, Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, welcomed the decision. "It heightens the intensity of negotiations on both sides. I think that's positive and that's constructive," said Kennedy. Added Dorgan: "We cannot afford to have a shutdown of services ... It is devastating for parts of this country." UNION CAUGHT OFF GUARD BY MOVE The mechanics union, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, said it was caught off guard by the move and that its immediate plan was to keep talks going through the weekend. National director O.V. Delle-Femine complained of Bush's action. "We're very disappointed. What the president has done is stop the collective bargaining process. He's interfered with the free collective bargaining that we've had in this country for years. It's unprecedented. It's unwarranted," Delle-Femine said." Northwest said it was committed to reaching a "fair and equitable agreement" with the union and had agreed to any settlement terms recommended by Bush's emergency board. A national union executive, Steve Lanier, said the two sides had made progress in talks this week. "We still have significant separation there ... but the overall gap had been narrowed," he said. Bush said the economy was in such a sensitive state that he would stop any job actions at other airlines this year. He noted that Northwest was the first carrier to reach a critical point in its labor negotiations this year, with others facing looming deadlines. "Several other negotiations involving several other national carriers face deadlines within the next few weeks and I am concerned about their impact, concerned about what it could mean for this economy. And I intend to take the necessary steps to prevent airline strikes from happening this year," he said. The president has the power to intervene in an airline strike, under the 1926 Railway Labor Act that was amended in 1936 to include airlines. Aimed at preventing disruption of essential transportation services, the legislation allows the appointment of a Presidential Emergency Board to suggest a settlement while flights continue. Congress has the authority to pass special legislation to force the parties to abide by a settlement plan. Community email addresses: Post message: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] List owner: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Shortcut URL to this page: http://www.onelist.com/community/mayday2k Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ ______________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
