DOCUMENT: Crime

Airline Suggests Dumpster Diving For Canned Workers

Northwest Airlines offers offensive '101 Ways To Save Money' tips

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Airline Suggests Dumpster Diving For Canned Workers

AUGUST 21--In a remarkable bit of corporate insensitivity, Northwest Airlines brass gave workers it is laying off a booklet offering '101 Ways To Save Money,' including 'don't be shy about pulling something you like out of the trash' and 'ask your doctor for samples of prescriptions.' The booklet was included in a layoff packet recently given to dozens of pink-slipped workers in North Dakota, Montana, and Texas. After employee complaints, Northwest apologized and yanked the list from undistributed packets (the 101 tips were drawn up by a Northwest vendor charged with preparing materials for workers to help them deal with pending unemployment). A copy of the bankrupt airline's offensive booklet can be found below. Along with the dumpster diving suggestion, Northwest recommended shorter showers, thrift store shopping, and getting 'hand-me-down clothes and toys for your kids from friends and relatives.' Not to mention 'grow your own vegetables and herbs' and 'use old newspapers for cat litter.' (4 pages)