Flight Attendants Demand More

The Detroit Free Press is running an article entitled NWA Union Braces for Showdown. The article states, "As Northwest's flight attendants prepare to strike as early as Aug. 15, their union says it's fighting cuts the company imposed last week, including making a temporary 21% wage cut taken in November stick through 2011. The union also is fighting cuts to medical benefits and changes to work rules that reduce total compensation by as much as 40%." The article explains that flight attendants make between $17 and $39 for every hour that they are in the air.

This article provides a huge range of learning opportunities:
1. Teachers might ask students to consider if this story is a local story or a national story. Detroit is the hub of Northwest Airlines and the article is in the Detroit Free Press. But would a strike have ramifications beyond Detroit? How does airline travel effect national and international commerce? (As a side note, every time I drive on the free way I am impressed with the number of semi-trucks that are transporting goods across the country.)
2. Many students would think that flight attendants make good money. This is another possible career that many people never think about. It's important for students to understand that flight attendants are not truly waiters/waitresses. In addition, they have knowledge of safety and health.
3. There are enough numbers in this story to use for story problems. Rather than writing story problems for students encourage them to write story problems for one another. The process of writing these problems requires students to think about numbers in new and innovative ways. It can prompt critical thinking.
4. You might ask students to consider whether or not they think that strikes should be legal. Be sure to urge them to support their opinions.
5. The article emphasizes that flight attendants are truly looking for respect. Ask students to explain the relationship between money and respect. Do students think that it's appropriate to strike for respect?

For some of these questions, you might want to ask students to complete short "quick-writes" before holding brief class discussions.