August 18, 2006 - As if losing your job wasn’t bad enough, Northwest Airlines added salt to the wounds of IAM members facing furlough by handing about 60 employees a booklet containing an inconsiderate list of ideas on how to save money while they’re out of work.
The list entitled, "101 Ways to Save Money”, suggests laid-off employees ask friends and family for hand-me-down clothes and toys for their kids, shop at thrift stores and consignment shops (or “borrow a dress for a big night out”), move somewhere else to live, make their own baby food and coffee, ask their doctor for samples of prescriptions, and #46 on the list, “Don’t be shy about pulling something you like out of the trash.”
Following a public admonishment from the Machinists Union, Northwest apologized for their offensive tips.
“Northwest CEO Doug Steenland has apologized to the IAM for the company’s poor judgment,” said GVP Robert Roach, Jr. “They are also contacting everyone who received the offending booklet to offer personal apologies. The IAM leadership will hold Northwest to their commitment that a blunder like this will never happen again. ”
Northwest did not prepare the booklet, but instead subcontracted the work to a Wisconsin firm. “These are the type of screw-ups that occur when you outsource work,” said Roach.
