AFA-CWA: Flight Attendant Outsourcing Risks Jobs, Safety

Fighting to protect air passengers' safety and their own jobs, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA has denounced a scheme by Northwest Airlines to outsource its cabin crews on international flights.

The airline, which is already contracting out mechanical work to other countries, plans to hire 2,600 foreign-born flight attendants. AFA-CWA, which has members at 21 airlines and is working to organize the 9,600 flight attendants at Northwest, is concerned that other airlines will follow Northwest's lead.

"We must not compromise our safety and security just so that companies can sell our jobs to the lowest bidder," said Dianne Tamuk, president of AFA-CWA Council 5 at United Airlines.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and 86 co-signers in Congress have sent a letter to Northwest CEO Doug Steenland urging him to reconsider.

Lawmakers and AFA-CWA say they're concerned that foreign-based flight attendants won't be subject to adequate background screening. Presently, U.S. flight attendants are subject to extensive 10-year criminal background checks, fingerprinting, FAA certification and random drug and alcohol testing.