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Northwest Airlines to laid-off workers: rummage through the trash
Earlier this month Northwest Airlines, the fifth largest carrier in the US, sent soon-to-be-laid-off customer service workers and baggage handlers a handbook with “tips” for managing their unemployed state. The four-page booklet, “Preparing for a Financial Setback,” contains a section entitled, “101 ways to save money.” Among its patronizing or insulting suggestions: urging workers to shop in thrift stores and not be “shy about pulling something you like out of the trash.”
The tract is part of a 150-page package sent to about 50 workers in Bismarck, North Dakota, Bozeman, Montana, and Austin, Texas, who are the first of several hundred ground workers slated to lose their jobs as their work is outsourced under a concessions pact reached earlier this year between the company and the International Association of Machinists (IAM).
In addition to containing an advertisement from the Caldwell Banker real estate agency offering to help sell a home, the airline pamphlet advises workers to borrow a dress for a “big night out,” bicycle to work, use old newspapers for cat litter, skip full-mouth x-rays unless there is a problem, use an optometrist rather than an ophthalmologist (a technician versus a medical doctor), get hand-me-down clothes and toys from family and friends and rent out part of one’s house.
Other propositions include taking a shorter shower, making one’s own baby food, taking a date for a walk along the beach or in the woods, making cards and gifts for friends, growing one’s own vegetables and herbs and searching “the internet for freebies.”
“If you have saved money, pat yourself on the back—you deserve it,” reads the booklet.
The layoffs are part of a contract ratified in June by the IAM, which represents some 14,000 Northwest baggage handlers, ticket agents and other ground workers nationwide. The contract also cuts the wages of the remaining ground workers by 11.5 percent, saving the airline, which is in bankruptcy, $190 million in annual labor costs.
More
http://wsws.org/articles/2006/aug2006/nowa-a18.shtml
In addition to containing an advertisement from the Caldwell Banker real estate agency offering to help sell a home, the airline pamphlet advises workers to borrow a dress for a “big night out,” bicycle to work, use old newspapers for cat litter, skip full-mouth x-rays unless there is a problem, use an optometrist rather than an ophthalmologist (a technician versus a medical doctor), get hand-me-down clothes and toys from family and friends and rent out part of one’s house.
Other propositions include taking a shorter shower, making one’s own baby food, taking a date for a walk along the beach or in the woods, making cards and gifts for friends, growing one’s own vegetables and herbs and searching “the internet for freebies.”
“If you have saved money, pat yourself on the back—you deserve it,” reads the booklet.
The layoffs are part of a contract ratified in June by the IAM, which represents some 14,000 Northwest baggage handlers, ticket agents and other ground workers nationwide. The contract also cuts the wages of the remaining ground workers by 11.5 percent, saving the airline, which is in bankruptcy, $190 million in annual labor costs.
More
http://wsws.org/articles/2006/aug2006/nowa-a18.shtml
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Those are pretty good ideas that I actually use! And prefer to buying new! Oh well. Most of the rest of the tips seemed pretty good. Making my own baby food instead of buying? Not only does it save money, but it is probably healthier!
Where can I get a copy of this booklet?
Of course, I do understand that many of those ideas are quite insulting when given by the company that just laid you off.
Where can I get a copy of this booklet?
Of course, I do understand that many of those ideas are quite insulting when given by the company that just laid you off.
It is absolutely appalling that nwa would send out such insulting literature to their employees. The nwa top execs each receive well over $200k plus in salaries and other compensation each year. Have they taken substantial pay cuts in order to help the company out of bankruptcy? Do they stand to lose their pensions, homes and everything they own? The answer is a resounding NO to both. If they are so concerned with the welfare of the employees and saving the company, perhaps they should voluntarily give up their over inflated salaries and try some of these money saving tips for themselves.
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