Federal Arbitrator Rules Alaska Airlines
Violated Union Contract When It Outsourced 500 Union-Represented Baggage
Handling Jobs to Menzies Aviation
August 7, 2008
A federal arbitrator ruled that Alaska Airlines
violated its collective bargaining agreement with IAM District 143 when
it laid off 500 baggage handlers and other ramp workers in May 2005.
“This ruling is a huge victory for the IAM, Air
Transport District 143, and all the hard-working airline employees we
represent. The ruling sends a message to the airlines that they must
respect their workers and their Union contracts,” said President Stephen
Gordon.
The ruling comes more than three years after Alaska Airlines
subcontracted its entire ground handling operation to Menzies Aviation.
IAM-represented ramp employees who showed up to work on May 13, 2005 had
their security badges deactivated by Alaska and were told they no longer
had jobs.
Since outsourcing the work to Menzies, Alaska
Airlines has endured negative press reports involving lost and
mishandled bags, flight delays, safety problems, and increased customer
complaints.
The federal arbitrator who decided the case
considered the parties’ contract language, which permitted Alaska
Airlines to subcontract the ground handling work only if it was cheaper
than keeping the work in-house.
The federal arbitrator directed Alaska Airlines and
District 143 to work together to determine the appropriate remedy for
the contract breach, but will take the matter up again if Alaska
Airlines and District 143 are unable to agree on a solution.
“Only because of our strong Union and the opportunity
of a grievance resolution process could we prevail in protecting jobs;
without such a process, all is for nothing,” stated President Stephen
Gordon.
|
