Northwest advised workers to see treasure in trash

Northwest advised workers to see treasure in trash

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bankrupt Northwest Airlines advised workers to fish in
the trash for things they like or take their dates for a walk in the woods
in a move to help workers facing the ax to save money.

The No. 5 U.S. carrier, which has slashed most employees' pay and is looking
to cut jobs as it prepares to exit bankruptcy, put the tips in a booklet
handed out to about 50 workers and posted for a time on its employee Web
site.

The section, entitled "101 ways to save money", does not feature in new
versions of the booklet or the Web site.

Northwest spokesman Roman Blahoski said some employees who received the
handbook had taken issue with a couple of the items. "We agree that some of
these suggestions and tips ... were a bit insensitive," Blahoski told
Reuters.

The four-page booklet, "Preparing for a Financial Setback" contained
suggestions such as shopping in thrift stores, taking "a date for a walk
along the beach or in the woods" and not being "shy about pulling something
you like out of the trash."

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, Blahoski said.

Prepared with the help of an outside company, the booklet encourages
employees to manage their money better and prepare for financial
emergencies.

"If you have saved some money, pat yourself on the back -- you deserve it,"
the booklet reads. "Take out only what you need and spend prudently."