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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 6, 1991                   TAG: 9103061116
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

AIRLINE MACHINISTS WANTED LABOR PEACE

REGARDING the letters Feb. 13 and 17 on the demise of Eastern Airlines: Usually in such cases, there is responsibility enough to go around, and bystanders can point a finger at demons of their choice.

Collective bargaining is based upon the premise that the parties enter into that relationship in good faith. Following the lockout of machinists-union members on March 3, 1989, no meaningful negotiations took place. On numerous occasions, the union offered arbitration by a neutral third party, just as the National Mediation Board had recommended 30 days before March 3.

Congress passed legislation to create a blue-ribbon panel to investigate the dispute and recommend a settlement. President Bush vetoed this legislation at the urging of Frank Lorenzo [then chairman of Eastern's parent Texas Air].

Machinist-union members truly desired and sought labor peace. Lorenzo was outspoken in his intentions to break the union and return Eastern to profitability by replacing union members. He did not succeed on either count.

Sometimes union-busting may prove profitable. In this case it didn't. Eastern's real employees of many, many years of dedicated service lost more than anyone. Those on the picket lines for more than 22 months have dignity, self-respect and the respect of the entire trade union movement. They wanted labor peace. BILL E. SCHENCK CLEMMONS, N.C.

by CNB