Employment & training conundrums

摘要

North American airlines are experiencing the greatest financial crisis in their histories with record revenue losses and bankruptcy-protection filings by US Airways, United Airlines and Air Canada. In the 18 weeks following September 11, 2001, the US Department of Labour reported that 125,637 workers were laid off as a result, the majority immediately after the attacks. In the heavily unionized airline industry, those fortunate still to have jobs are being pressured to accept concessions. Union leaders representing 32,000 pilots, flight attendants and mechanics at US Airways recently agreed to pay cuts, benefit reductions and work rule changes - a saving of more than $1.2 billion annually.