Planet Money – The flight attendants of CHAOS

Intro

In this episode of Planet Money, titled “The flight attendants of CHAOS,” the hosts explore the concept of labor disputes and how they can resemble a strategic game. They delve into the case study of the TWA strike in 1986 and its impact on labor negotiations. The episode highlights the tactics used by flight attendants of Alaska Airlines to avoid being replaced by scabs during their own contract negotiations. It also discusses the effectiveness of the chaos strategy and its application in other labor strikes, such as the recent UAW strike.

Main Takeaways

Changing the Game: Labor Disputes as Strategic Battles

• Sports history has moments where someone changes the game by doing something unexpected.
• Similar moments happen in the world of economics and business.
• Labor disputes are like sports with competing teams employing tactics and counter-tactics.

The TWA Strike: A Case Study in Labor Disputes

• In 1986, TWA found a legal workaround to effectively fire all striking flight attendants without technically firing anyone.
• This case study is still shaping labor disputes today.
• The TWA strike involved the replacement of striking flight attendants with scabs (permanent replacements).

The Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants’ Counter Strategy

• Labor lawyer David Borer saw the TWA strike as a warning for the Alaska Airlines flight attendants he represented.
• Alaska Airlines flight attendants were facing tense contract negotiations and the possibility of being replaced by scabs if they went on strike.
• David and Gail Bigelow, a union negotiator, held secret strategy meetings to avoid spies and find a counter strategy to the TWA playbook.

The “Chaos” Strategy: Going on Strike without the Risk

• The focus was on finding a way around the problem of being replaced by scabs, as attacking the company was not an option.
• Attacking opponents’ strategy was directly applicable, quoting Sun Sioux’s The Art of War.
• The flight attendants devised a way to go on strike without the risk of being permanently replaced, called “Intermit in Striking.”

The Chaos Campaign: Creating Havoc and Gaining Leverage

• Union calls press conference, announces “chaos” strategy.
• Threat of strike made real, but details not disclosed.
• The flight attendants are using a guerrilla warfare strategy to create chaos for Alaska Airlines.

Results and Impact

• The threat of a strike is causing bookings to go down for the airline.
• Alaska Airlines is preparing for a real strike by training all managed personnel as flight attendants.
• Alaska Airlines faced chaos when flight attendants went on strike using the tactic of intermittent striking.

Summary

Changing the Game: Labor Disputes as Strategic Battles

Just like in sports, moments arise in the world of economics and business where someone changes the game by doing something unexpected. Labor disputes can be seen as strategic battles between competing teams, employing tactics and counter-tactics to gain an advantage.

The TWA Strike: A Case Study in Labor Disputes

In 1986, TWA found a legal workaround to effectively fire all striking flight attendants without technically firing anyone. This case study continues to shape labor disputes today, particularly in the airline industry. The TWA strike involved the replacement of striking flight attendants with scabs, who served as permanent replacements, leaving the original employees without a job.

The Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants’ Counter Strategy

Labor lawyer David Borer, representing Alaska Airlines flight attendants, recognized the potential risks they faced during tense contract negotiations. He sought a counter strategy to prevent the flight attendants from being replaced by scabs. Together with union negotiator Gail Bigelow, they held secret strategy meetings to find a way around the TWA playbook and protect the flight attendants’ interests.

The “Chaos” Strategy: Going on Strike without the Risk

As attacking the company directly was not a viable option, the focus of the counter strategy was to find a way to go on strike without the risk of being permanently replaced. Taking inspiration from Sun Sioux’s The Art of War, the flight attendants adopted a guerrilla warfare strategy, creating chaos for Alaska Airlines while avoiding the consequences of a traditional strike.

The Chaos Campaign: Creating Havoc and Gaining Leverage

The flight attendants implemented their “chaos” strategy by announcing it in a press conference, without disclosing the specific details. This strategy aimed to disrupt operations and create uncertainty for the airline. The threat of a strike led to a decrease in bookings, putting pressure on Alaska Airlines to negotiate with the flight attendants.

Results and Impact

Alaska Airlines responded to the chaos strategy by preparing for a real strike, training all managed personnel as flight attendants. They also booked seats for trained managers on flights to act as stopgap attendants in case of a mid-flight strike. However, the flight attendants’ intermittent striking tactic was protected by law, and the court sided with the union, preventing permanent replacements. Less than two weeks later, Alaska Airlines proposed a decent contract, and the strike came to an end. The chaos strategy proved successful for the flight attendants, gaining them leverage in negotiations.

Conclusion

The TWA strike and the subsequent chaos strategy employed by Alaska Airlines flight attendants demonstrate the strategic nature of labor disputes. By thinking outside the box and finding innovative ways to protect their interests, workers can gain leverage in negotiations. The chaos strategy continues to shape labor strikes, as seen in the recent UAW strike. Understanding the dynamics of labor disputes and the power of unconventional tactics can lead to successful outcomes for workers.