Events
NWA Annual Shareholders Labor Rally Recap
September 25, 2008, New York City
MEC PRESIDENT KEVIN GRIFFIN'S RALLY SPEECH:
My name is Kevin Griffin. I want to thank AFA International President Pat Friend and my brothers and sisters at the International Association of Machinists along with our brothers and sisters at the Communication Workers of America for joining us this morning at this Northwest Airlines Shareholders meeting.
I would also like to welcome and thank all of you who have come out in support of having a voice for the future.
I am the Association of Flight Attendants Master Executive Council President for Northwest Airlines Flight Attendants but more importantly I am a 28 year Employee/Shareholder. I became a shareholder in 1993 when Northwest Airlines and many of the same corporate management threatened BANKRUPTCY.
I am here today to say that what is happening on Wall Street with the collapse of the economy involves many of the same people that drive these mergers.
The only thing on their minds is self profit and GREED! Not for the employee and not for the average shareholder but for the few who do not listen to you and I.
It is time for these CEOs and corporate teams to listen to the employees and share holders and citizens who are the middle class and backbone of AMERICA!
For over 60 years at Northwest we have had a voice and as Americans we plan to have that voice for the future to be heard loud and clear. We plan to collectively be heard!
I may not be able to stop this merger or influence it in any way with 360+ plus votes but collectively it is time for all Americans to rise up in Unison and be heard. The anti union movement by corporations that has tried to silence the middle class is the same group that has left Wall Street in the condition it is today!
The time for change is long past! The time to be heard is today. The time to recreate an America with Livable wages, safe working conditions and healthcare is NOW!
Fool me once 1993 – Shame on Me! Fool me twice, SHAME ON YOU Northwest! I am a SHAREHOLDER and EMPLOYEE!
Any merger in America must include the voice of all employees, shareholders, and the traveling public!
The greatest profits will come when everyone profits and has a voice for the future in America!
The time to rebuild America is now today in New York and in the United States of America!
Any Merger involving Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines employees /shareholders must ensure job security from outsourcing, labor protective provisions of the Allegheny Mohawk LPPS and a travel system that we in America can be proud of and be sustained with growth for citizens of this great land!
We have said it in the past- we will not allow the outsourcing of good American jobs. We will not be silenced by the anti union corporate robber barons who have decimated this economy for self profit!
Together in America we can and will be heard! This economic bus will get out of the station but we in labor must be on it. You have heard of no child let behind well this is no worker left behind! Get on the bus corporate America, Doug Steenland, Richard Anderson and all who have profited off the backs of us in America.
SHAREHOLDERS RALLY RECAP ITS TIME FOR UNITY!
On Thursday September 25th, Northwest Executives/Stockholders voted to merge NWA with Delta Airlines. Executives stand to make significant personal financial gains in this merger; that were largely won on the backs of hard working, union airline employees. Many union workers and union supporters along with their leaders rallied outside the boardroom and made their voices heard, along with CWA’s hard-to-miss inflatable rat.
The rally was kicked off with remarks by prominent labor leaders, including AFA leaders and local politicians. As Northwest board members and executives arrived, AFA-CWA International President Patricia Friend was introduced, and began the morning of invigorating speeches by reading a letter from AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka, who shared the commitment of our AFL-CIO union brothers and sisters to stand with us to fight for labor rights. More inspiring speakers followed, including our own Northwest AFA-CWA MEC President Kevin Griffin, IAM General Vice President Robert Roach, New York City Central Labor Council Executive Director Ed Ott, New York District 20 Council Member John Liu, CWA Local 1180 President Arthur Cheliotes, IAM District 15 Director James Conigliaro, CWA District Vice President Chris Shelton, IAM District Lodge 143 President Stephen Gordon, Northwest AFA-CWA LEC 91 President Josh Zivick, and surprise guest speaker - AFL-CIO President John Sweeney.
This successful rally was coordinated by AFA Local 91 President Josh Zivick and IAM District 143’s Jerry Cross, and the MEC would like to thank them for their extraordinary efforts. Uniformed Northwest union members from IAM and AFA, came together with our local CWA brothers and sisters, and pressed for issues that matter to our unions; such as job security, fair share of compensation and a voice at the merger table. Unity and camaraderie captured the spirit of the rally. Motivational speeches highlighted a morning that was filled with energy and passion, enhanced by honking cars showing support of union members and our struggle. It is hoped that this rally will be the first of many events that will help us to preserve our rights in the months and years to come!
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