Northwest tells laid off workers to try dumpster diving
 

Talk about rubbing salt in a wound...

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com...lsWorkers.aspx

Try Dumpster-diving, airline tells workers
Baggage handlers facing layoffs get 101 money-savings tips from employer Northwest Airlines, like moving to a cheaper place or never grocery-shopping while hungry.


Northwest Airlines, which has slashed wages and jobs and is looking to lay off more workers as it exits bankruptcy, has apologized for distributing a booklet of money-savings tips for workers that includes advice that they go dumpster-diving.

The fifth-largest U.S. carrier put the tips in a booklet handed out to about 50 workers and posted for a time on its employee Web site. The booklet was part of a 150-page packet to ground workers, such as baggage handlers, whose jobs will likely be cut after their union agreed to allow the airline to outsource some of their work.

Prepared with the help of an outside company, the booklet encourages employees to manage their money better and prepare for financial emergencies. In one section, called "Preparing for a Financial Setback," Northwest suggests that workers can take "a date for a walk along the beach or in the woods." It also says they should not be "shy about pulling something you like out of the trash."

Also among the tips: No. 48: Move to a less expensive place to live; and No. 59: Never grocery shop hungry.

'A bit insensitive'
Northwest spokesman Roman Blahoski says some employees were offended by the suggestions. He tells Reuters, "We agree that some of these suggestions and tips ... were a bit insensitive."

The airline said the list was inadvertently published in the resource guide without being reviewed by Northwest management. The airline has removed the list from the booklet and its employee Web site, the Detroit Free Press said.

another cut throat corp. - doesnt surprise me

you can find good stuff in the trash

Considering that some of the pilots that used to make 100k+ a year are now making 45k a year I don't feel at all bad for the baggage handlers. I suspect there are lots of baggage handlers that were making 45k a year or more with their union wages - seems to me they DO need paycuts for Northwest to stay in business and succeed.

Brad