STOP Northwest Airlines OUTSOURCING!

Don't Sell our National Security....

2006-03-28T19:41:00.000-08:00

Subject: Don't Sell our National Security

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) that would make it easier for foreign airlines to have more control over U.S. airlines and make key decisions regarding the operations of U.S. airlines. Through this effort, the Administration is seeking to ignore and circumvent Congressional authority. I urge you to become a cosponsor of H.R. 4542 or S.2135 and allow for proper Congressional debate over this critical change to US aviation law.

Congress spoke to this issue in 2003 when it mandated that U.S. citizens must exercise actual control over U.S. airlines. Both of these bills reaffirm this recent common sense decision and over 60 years of U.S. aviation policy by the Congress. Both of these bills would stop DOT from usurping Congressional authority and prevent them from moving to a final rule for one year and require that DOT report the potential ramifications this rule would have to Congress.

Our security and aviation system are too valuable and should not be put up for sale. Allowing foreign companies or investors to have control over our airlines jeopardizes the avialability of aircraft for the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, which we count on to carry our troops and supplies overseas.

The idea of our troops being stuck in foreign lands because a foreign controlled U.S. airline does not agree with a particular position the U.S. has taken is unconscionable. Furthermore, this NPRM creates numerous other potential loopholes regarding both national and job security issues that Congress must consider if we are to protect our transportation security system.

Please contact the office of either Congressman Oberstar or Congressman LoBiondo to become a cosponsor of H.R. 4542 or the office of Senator Inouye to become a cosponsor of S. 2135. Thank
you for time and consideration in this most critical matter.

Sincerely,

Senate Bill in Rhode Island

2006-03-09T08:16:00.000-08:00

2006 -- S 2470
link
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LC02057
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2006
____________
S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION INTO NORTHWEST AIRLINES
PROPOSED OUTSOURCING OF 3,000 FLIGHT ATTENDANT JOBS
Introduced By: Senators Raptakis, DaPonte, Polisena, Damiani, and F Caprio
Date Introduced: February 09, 2006
Referred To: Senate Constitutional & Gaming Issues
1 WHEREAS, In 2001, Northwest Airlines received nearly $250 million in emergency
2 government assistance after their revenues plummeted due to the government ordered four-day
3 airline shutdown and subsequent fall-off in airline travel that occurred after the September 11,
4 2001 terrorists attacks; and
5 WHEREAS, The $250 million bailout was paid for by American taxpayers. Ten years
6 earlier, Minnesota lawmakers had approved an $838 million financial aid package for Northwest,
7 also paid for in part by American taxpayers; and
8 WHEREAS, Northwest Airlines Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in
9 September of 2005. They are looking for $195 million in concessions from their flight
10 attendants, and a total of $1.4 billion in wage and benefit cuts from their employees; and
11 WHEREAS, In addition, Northwest has proposed the outsourcing of 3,000 flight
12 attendant jobs to foreign nationals. The company's main impetus is economics, yet for the
13 American public there are a variety of other serious considerations, including the impact
14 outsourcing to foreign nationals will have on the airline's security and safety, as well as the
15 potential skills gap between American personnel and foreign nationals; now, therefore be it
16 RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
17 hereby urges the United States Congress to investigate and take steps to halt Northwest Airlines
18 proposed outsourcing of 3,000 flight attendant jobs in lieu of their past bailouts by the American
19 public, some of whom are currently in jeopardy of losing their jobs should the airlines be allowed
2
1 to outsource to foreign nationals; and be it further
2 RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to
3 transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the President of the United States and the
4 Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, with all due haste.
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LC02057
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2006-03-07T21:28:00.000-08:00

Dear Senator Boxer,

Thank you for your recent legislation regarding National Security and American Ports. I applaud you for your vigilance and patriotism.

I ask you, why aren't you demonstrating the same concern with our Aviation Industry and National Security.

This Congress has allowed the world's FOURTH largest airline, NORTHWEST AIRLINES to outsource everything - starting with MECHANICS to FLIGHT ATTENDANTS WITH CHEAP FOREIGN LABOR while Congress has done NOTHING!

Please help the American public understand the difference between the Ports of this nation and our Aviation Industry (currently being sent overseas).

Singed,

OUTSOURCED American Aviation (POST (9/11)

If there is another aviation disaster...WHERE was CONGRESS?

2006-03-03T09:25:00.000-08:00

Dear Representative____________________________,I am a ____________and I support the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association who are currently striking against Northwest Airlines to protest up to 75% outsourcing of their jobs. Please support bill (HR 4582) introduced byCongressman Rob Andrews (D-NJ) that would require anyone who works on a U.S. aircraft at an outsourced repair station, either domestically or overseas, to undergo an FBI background security check. The FBI background checks have long been mandatory for aircraft technicians employed by U.S. airlines. This is part of a massive effort by Northwest Airlines to outsource over 50% of all employees on the property and this continues with all work groups as you read this letter. This loophole will only grow in size as all of us are outsourced.I feel that it is unconscionable and unsafe for the "replacement workers" to not have to meet the same requirements as co-workers out on the picket line. To me this is an affront to every American who is concerned about aircraft security and maintenance. Doesn't this seem like an unsafe loophole in our security? Now many of the aircraft maintenance facilities are uncertified and not background checked or drug tested. Isn't this a case of "you get what you pay for?" I work with these replacement workers every day and I can honestly say that many of them cannot adequately communicate with me and do not have anywhere near the kind of familiarity with the aircraft that our veteran mechanics did. "Congress has a responsibility to protect our nation from another terrorist attack," said Congressman Andrews. "If we do not implement tough safety standards for all persons working on U.S. aircraft, both at home and abroad, then it's a dereliction of our duty. It is imperative for Congress to act now." I thank you for your service to our state and country and I look forward to hearing from you about the outsourcing of airline jobs and the national security and safety implications of this.

A sample of a letter sent in by a concerned citizen

2006-02-21T18:30:00.000-08:00

Feb. 21, 2006

Dear Senator Collins, Sen. Lieberman, Rep. Harmon,

Please explain to me and millions of other Americans what the difference is between this National Security fiasco (the handing over of our ports to Foreigners) and the outsourcing scheme of Northwest Airlines to staff it's flights with "Foreign Nationals" many of which are from Communist China?

We demand that you, and the rest of our elected officials take a strong stand against Northwest, and any other airline planning such an outrageously unAmerican job outsourcing scheme. Is it OK because of the money involved. Is our National Security for sale? It appears that way.

"In Los Angeles, Sen. Susan Collins, who heads the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said she and Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff asking that the committee be fully briefed on the ports deal with the UAE company.
Collins, R-Maine, and Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., a ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, said they are going to introduce a "joint resolution of disapproval" when they return to Washington next week."

the 109th congress

2006-02-18T13:50:00.000-08:00

109th Congress (TRANSPORTATION Committee)

Contact your Congress members to tell them what you think about current legislative issues, ask questions or suggest policy changes.

Go to the http://www.senate.gov/ and http://www.house.gov/
Web sites to look up your representatives and find out how to get in touch with them by mail, e-mail or phone.

REPUBLICAN / DEMOCRAT
Chairman Don Young, (AK)James L. Oberstar, (MN)Thomas E. Petri, (WI)Nick J. Rahall, II, (WV)Sherwood L. Boehlert, (NY)Peter A. DeFazio, (OR)Howard Coble, (NC)Jerry F. Costello, (IL)John J. Duncan, Jr., (TN)Eleanor Holmes Norton, (DC)Wayne T. Gilchrest, (MD)Jerrold Nadler, (NY)John L. Mica, (FL)Robert Menendez, (NJ)Peter Hoekstra (MI)Corrine Brown, (FL)Vernon J. Ehlers, (MI)Bob Filner, (CA)Spencer Bachus, (AL)Eddie Bernice Johnson, (TX)Steven C. LaTourette, (OH)Gene Taylor, (MS)Sue W. Kelly, (NY)Juanita Millender-McDonald, (CA)Richard H. Baker, (LA)Elijah E. Cummings, (MD)Robert W. Ney, (OH)Earl Blumenauer, (OR)Frank A. LoBiondo, (NJ)Ellen O. Tauscher, (CA)Jerry Moran, (KS)Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ)Gary G. Miller (CA)Leonard L. Boswell, (IA)Robin Hayes, (NC)Tim Holden, (PA)Rob Simmons, (CT)Brian Baird, (WA)Henry E. Brown, Jr., (SC)Shelley Berkley, (NV)Timothy V. Johnson, (IL)Jim Matheson, (UT)Todd Russell Platts, (PA)Michael M. Honda, (CA)Sam Graves, (MO)Rick Larsen, (WA)Mark R. Kennedy, (MN)Michael E. Capuano (MA)Bill Shuster, (PA)Anthony D. Weiner (NY)John Boozman, (AR)Julia Carson (IN)Jim Gerlach (PA)Timothy H. Bishop (NY)Mario Diaz-Balart (FL)Michael H. Michaud (ME)Jon C. Porter (NV)Lincoln Davis (TN)Tom Osborne (NE)Ben Chandler (KY)Kenny Marchant (TX)Brian Higgins (NY)Michael E. Sodrel (IN)Russ Carnahan (MO)Charles W. Dent (PA)Allyson Y. Schwartz (PA)Ted Poe (TX)John T. Salazar (CO)David G. Reichert (WA)Connie Mack (FL)John R. "Randy" Kuhl, Jr. (NY)Luis G. Fortuno (PR)Lynn A. Westmoreland (GA)Charles W. Boustany, Jr. (LA)Jean Schmidt (OH)

NOTE! BI LATERAL AGREEMENTS and CURRENT ISSUES

2006-02-18T12:51:00.000-08:00

Bilateral Aviation Agreements: The Office of International Aviation, together with counterparts at the U.S. Department of State, represents the United States in negotiating rights for U.S. airlines to serve foreign markets. The agreements reached between the United States and each foreign country outline services and doing business practices that will govern operations by airlines of each country. Such agreements normally include provisions regarding the cities that can be served by carriers of each country, the number of flights that they can operate for both passenger and cargo scheduled services, as well as charter services, and various doing business rules that will govern the services of each country’s carriers. The United States has bilateral aviation agreements with 97 countries. It is the policy of the United States that fully open airline markets will provide the most competitive and price-sensitive service for consumers. As a result, it is the Department’s policy in international negotiations to seek agreements that do not limit the number of carriers that may serve, the capacity that they offer, or the prices that they charge. The United States has signed such “open-skies” agreements with 59 countries. The Office of International Aviation maintains a list of all aviation agreements between the United States and its foreign trading partners. (List of the Open-Skies agreement).

Under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended, both the U.S. Department of Transportation ("DOT") and the Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") exercise regulatory authority over all U.S airlines.
The FAA's regulatory authority relates primarily to operational aspects of air transportation, including aircraft standards and maintenance, personnel and ground facilities, which may from time to time affect the ability of an airline to operate its aircraft in the most efficient manner. U.S. airlines hold an air carrier certificates granted by the FAA pursuant to Part 119 of the federal aviation regulations. This certificate is of unlimited duration and remains in effect so long as an airline maintains its standards of safety and meets the operational requirements of the regulations.
The DOT's authority relates primarily to economic and security aspects of air transportation. The DOT's jurisdiction extends to aviation route authority and to other regulatory matters, including the transfer of route authority between carriers. Some airlines hold various certificates issued by the DOT, authorizing the airline to engage in U.S. and international air transportation of property, mail and passengers on a worldwide basis. Some U.S. airlines international authority permits them to carry cargo and mail from several points in their U.S. route system to numerous points throughout the world. The DOT regulates international routes and practices and is authorized to investigate and take action against discriminatory treatment of United States air carriers abroad. The right of a United States carrier to serve foreign points is subject to the DOT's approval and generally requires a bilateral agreement between the United States and the foreign government. The carrier must then be granted the permission of such foreign government to provide specific flights and services. The regulatory environment for global aviation rights may from time to time impair the ability of an airline to operate its air network in the most efficient manner.
In 2001, the Aviation and Transportation Security Act transferred responsibility for aviation security from the FAA to the Transportation Security Administration ("TSA") within the DOT, and ultimately, the new Department of Homeland Security. The TSA has adopted and may in the future adopt security-related regulations, including new requirements for cargo security, which could impact our air operations or otherwise increase our costs.

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"A recurring issue in the airline's recent history has been often poisonous relationship with labor groups. In 1998, Northwest walked away from the bargaining table, locked out its pilots (represented by ALPA) and shut down the airline for more than two weeks. The airline sustained heavy losses as a result, and ended 1998 in the red, after being profitable since 1993. Earlier in the decade, it's management enjoyed some of the largest financial rewards in the aviation industry"

Northwest's labor problems also continued into the 21st century. On August 20, 2005, after months of negotiations, an impasse declared by the NMB and a 30-day cooling off period, the over 4,750 Northwest aircraft mechanics, janitors, and aircraft cleaners represented by AMFA went on strike against the company. After numerous negotiation sessions, no agreement was reached, and the company began hiring permanent replacement workers. In mid-October, after permanently hiring about 500 non-union workers, Northwest made a final offer to the union. The offer would have saved about 500 union jobs and offered four weeks of severance pay to terminated employees. This offer was significantly worse than the original declined by the union, which would have saved over 2,000 jobs and offered 16 weeks of severance pay. On 21 October 2005, AMFA announced that it would not allow its members to vote on the offer, citing that parts of the contract would violate the union's commitment to its members. Finally, in late December 2005, Northwest made what it termed its "final offer" to the union. The agreement would have terminated all striking workers and given them rights to unemployment compensation. The union voted down the offer.

(SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE)

As part of its bankruptcy reorganization process, Northwest is seeking to nullify the contracts of its major unions, including the Professional Flight Attendants Association (PFAA) and the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA). Among management's proposals are controversial initiatives to outsource to foreign nationals and contract-workers the jobs of flight crews and ground staff. These proposals have led ALPA and PFAA to authorize strike votes amongst their members. However, this does not mean a strike is imminent. Pending strike vote results, the unions have said they will call strikes if the bankruptcy judge nullifies their contracts. A ruling on this topic is expected by February 17, 2006. It is disputed whether or not such a strike would be legal, due to the fact that it would be violating a court order. In the event of a strike, Northwest has promised to file an emergency injunction, which would require the union(s) to return to work."

a sample letter to a politician. Please edit where aplicable

2006-02-17T20:15:00.000-08:00

Dear Senator / Congresswomen / man,

I write to you as a U.S. taxpayer, one whom demands all the protection and support expected from the elected officials we hire. The outsourcing scheme of Northwest Airlines current management has by now, become well known.

The men and women of the aviation industry request your immediate assistance in halting this outrageously unAmerican attempt to hand our aviation industry over to "cheap foreign labor", many of whom are from a COMMUNIST nation. Now is the time for you, our hired elected officials, to demonstrate why we should keep you in Washington after November.2006.

We do not need more investigations, or rhetoric, we need action and we demand it now.The assault on the American Middle Class has been unabated . It’s ravages has gone from one industry to another. The level of corporate greed that has fanned the flames of outsourcing in search of "cheap foreign labor" is unparalleled in American history. It is time that we, the American people whom sent you to Washington, demand that you step up to the plate and do the job you were sent to Washington for. It is time you do your duty and protect our national security (by not sacrificing the safety of the American public in the skies for "cheap foreign labor".

Allow me to remind you, it was American expertise, ingenuity, and professionalism that spread aviation around the globe. To hear airline CEO’s speak that we are “incapable of providing international service” is noting less than a slap in the face of every American alive today (and the dead ones that built this great nation). The very fact that these CEOs have the audacity to attempt this is an affront to the very foundations of this nation.It is nothing less than code…meaning. “we want to replace American employees with "cheap foreign labor" (from a COMMUNIST nation) in order to continue our outrageous bonuses and grow Senior management’s personal wealth”. During another time this would have been considered nothing less than HIGH TREASON.

We demand you produce legislation revoking the international route authorities of any U.S. airline that attempts to replace American employees with cheap foreign labor. This is within the power of the legislative branch of Federal government. This corporate scheme places the safety of the American public at risk at a level as dangerous as pre 9/11. Do you want the responsibility of having to answer to the American public as to why nothing was done if an American airliner goes down because of outsourcing?

We intend to place every politician in office today, on record as to where they stand in regards to airline outsourcing.You can’t have it both ways. You cannot spend Billions of our dollars on a false smoke screen of “Homeland Security” then turn around and allow some of the most security sensitive jobs in our nation, to be turned over to "cheap foreign labor". We will be taking note as to who steps up to the plate, and who does not.We begin this push for legislation now, and come Nov. 2006 with our votes we will punish those who do not take a stand to protect this industry and the American public. Make no mistake there are millions of us located in every state and of every political persuasion.

Outsourcing does not discriminate as to red or blue, north or south, east or west, Democrat or Republican. We will be setting up a website tracking the involvement and the non involvement of all politicians from each and every state.We want action now.

"We must all stand together, or assuredly we shall all starve separately."- Benjamin Franklin

"Even the weak become strong when they are united."- Johann Friedrich Von Schiller

STOP NORTHWEST AIRLINES OUTSOURCING!

2006-02-04T13:49:00.000-08:00

ATTENTION ALL CITIZENS,

Here is my sample letter that I am continuing to fill up in inflight offices (they are flying off the board!) Dear Representative____________________________,I am a ____________and I support the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association who are currently striking against Northwest Airlines to protest up to 75% outsourcing of their jobs. Please support bill (HR 4582) introduced byCongressman Rob Andrews (D-NJ) that would require anyone who works on a U.S. aircraft at an outsourced repair station, either domestically or overseas, to undergo an FBI background security check. The FBI background checks have long been mandatory for aircraft technicians employed by U.S. airlines. This is part of a massive effort by Northwest Airlines to outsource over 50% of all employees on the property and this continues with all work groups as you read this letter. This loophole will only grow in size as all of us are outsourced.I feel that it is unconscionable and unsafe for the "replacement workers" to not have to meet the same requirements as co-workers out on the picket line. To me this is an affront to every American who is concerned about aircraft security and maintenance. Doesn't this seem like an unsafe loophole in our security? Now many of the aircraft maintenance facilities are uncertified and not background checked or drug tested. Isn't this a case of "you get what you pay for?" I work with these replacement workers every day and I can honestly say that many of them cannot adequately communicate with me and do not have anywhere near the kind of familiarity with the aircraft that our veteran mechanics did. "Congress has a responsibility to protect our nation from another terrorist attack," said Congressman Andrews. "If we do not implement tough safety standards for all persons working on U.S. aircraft, both at home and abroad, then it's a dereliction of our duty. It is imperative for Congress to act now." I thank you for your service to our state and country and I look forward to hearing from you about the outsourcing of airline jobs and the national security and safety implications of this.