
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, February 15, 1991                   TAG: 9102150654
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: EDWARD J. BENNETT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

EASTERN WORKED HARD TO KEEP JOBS

IT IS NOT unexpected that Gerald Meadows, president of the Roanoke United Central Labor Council, would kick Eastern Airlines after its unfortunate death on Jan. 18. Mr. Meadows' remarks on the Commentary Page Feb. 1 are indicative of the problems inherent in American society and industry in general. It is unconscionable that anyone would relish a company's going out of business, causing the loss of thousands of jobs.

No company worked harder to maintain jobs, both union and non-contract, than Eastern Airlines. Eastern's books were opened to the International Association of Machinists early in their labor negotiations to prove that concessions from the union were necessary for the company to survive.

Eastern even took the unprecedented step of putting Charles Bryan, head of the the union at Eastern, on its board of directors. Still, it was all or nothing for the union leadership, forcing Frank Borman, then president of Eastern, to sell to Texas Air in 1986.

No company tried harder to survive the resulting strike than Eastern. The service was excellent, and the airline maintained the best on-time performance in the industry - perhaps in part, as many believe, because there were no union "slowdowns."

Now Eastern is gone - the first airline to pioneer automated computer reservations systems, and the first to help develop and fly the B-727 and the L-1011 wide-body aircraft. Eastern was a leader in vacation travel expertise and conducted one of the best travel-agency training programs in the country. And because of Eastern, air travel was affordable in many markets.

There are many good, well-meaning union people who understand the traditional work ethics that built this country. Indeed, there were many good union employees at Eastern who did not agree with their leadership. Perhaps if concessions had been granted by Eastern's labor unions in 1986, the carrier would be flying today. It is far better to have a job making less than to have no job at all. There are former Eastern union employees who would agree.

Let's hope Eastern's fate does not fall to Pan Am, already in reorganization, or stronger carriers like American and TWA. Both of the latter have incurred layoffs in recent weeks due to the economy and the decrease in international air travel because of the gulf war, while at the same time negotiating with their own labor unions. Is it not surprising that Delta, one of the strongest airlines in the country, has very little union representation?

If arrogance is the attitude that would rather see an airline die than provide jobs and service for thousands of people, then I say the shame is yours!

by CNB