Arbitration Board Orders Northwest Airlines to Restore Jobs of Unjustly Laid-off Mechanics; Ruling Opens Way For More Job Restorations After War Emergency Is Over.Business Editors MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 14, 2004 An arbitration board ruled today that Northwest Airlines (Nasdaq:NWAC NWAC Northwest Airlines (stock symbol) NWAC Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center (NOAA) NWAC Native Women's Association of Canada (Ottawa, ON, Canada) ) must restore the jobs of about 150 aircraft mechanics laid off following the Iraq war Iraq War: see under Persian Gulf Wars. Iraq War or Second Persian Gulf War Brief conflict in 2003 between Iraq and a combined force of troops largely from the U.S. and Great Britain; and a subsequent U.S. and the SARS outbreak last year. In addition, the ruling opened the way for additional job restorations after the effects of the Iraq war and SARS are over, according to the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) is an independent union that represents aircraft maintenance employees of commercial airlines in the United States. AMFA is committed to the principles of craft unionism, in that it seeks to represent only airline mechanics and (AMFA AMFA Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association AMFA Alternative Motor Fuels Act (PL 100-494) AMFA Asociación Movimiento Fe y Alegría (Association for Activities of Faith and Joy; Guatemala) ), which filed a class action grievance. The board ruled that Northwest's removal of eleven 747 aircraft from service in August 2003 was not caused by a force majeure [French, A superior or irresistible power.] An event that is a result of the elements of nature, as opposed to one caused by human behavior. The term force majeure emergency, and that related layoffs therefore violated the job security provisions of the labor contract between Northwest and the mechanics. Mechanics laid off on that basis must be given back their jobs with full back pay and benefits, according to the ruling. AMFA said it expects the ruling to affect about 150 laid-off mechanics. AMFA and Northwest representatives were instructed to work together to develop a plan within 60 days to determine the exact number of unfairly laid-off mechanics and to restore them to their positions. The affected employees will be identified by examining records. The board will oversee the process for six months and resolve any individual remedial issues. "Northwest went too far and laid off people in violation of the contract agreement. For the sake of these employees and their families, we're happy we were able to put the brakes on this excessive behavior and get these jobs restored with full compensation for lost wages and benefits," said Jeff Mathews, AMFA national contract coordinator at Northwest. "We expect most if not all of the affected employees to return to their technician or cleaner positions." AMFA attorney Nick Granath added that, "We didn't get everything we wanted, but we got some very important things, and this appears to be the first ruling of its kind in the airline industry." "Now it's on "Now It's On" is a single by the American rock group Grandaddy released in 2003. Track listing 7"
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tr.v. ob·li·gat·ed, ob·li·gat·ing, ob·li·gates 1. To bind, compel, or constrain by a social, legal, or moral tie. See Synonyms at force. 2. To cause to be grateful or indebted; oblige. to restore the jobs furloughed by force majeure. That's important because the trend in Northwest's business is already upward. One of our major concerns is keeping quality jobs in America." |
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