NWA to workers: dumpster dive!
Northwest advised workers to see treasure in trash
NEW YORK, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Bankrupt Northwest Airlines Corp.
advised workers to fish in the trash for things they like or take
their dates for a walk in the woods in a move to help workers facing
the ax to save money.
The No. 5 U.S. carrier, which has slashed most employees’ pay and is
looking to cut jobs as it prepares to exit bankruptcy, put the tips
in a booklet handed out to about 50 workers and posted for a time on
its employee Web site.
The section, entitled “101 ways to save money”, does not feature in
new versions of the booklet or the Web site.
Northwest spokesman Roman Blahoski said some employees who received
the handbook had taken issue with a couple of the items. “We agree
that some of these suggestions and tips … were a bit insensitive,”
Blahoski told Reuters.
The four-page booklet, “Preparing for a Financial Setback” contained
suggestions such as shopping in thrift stores, taking “a date for a
walk along the beach or in the woods” and not being “shy about
pulling something you like out of the trash.”
The booklet was part of a 150-page packet to ground workers, such as
baggage handlers, whose jobs will likely be cut after their union
agreed to allow the airline to outsource some of their work, Blahoski
said.
Prepared with the help of an outside company, the booklet encourages
employees to manage their money better and prepare for financial
emergencies.
“If you have saved some money, pat yourself on the back — you
deserve it,” the booklet reads. “Take out only what you need and
spend prudently.”