Originally Posted by
Bucking Bar
Fly for Hire's post is correct. I only agree and add to his point(s) the following:
As of today ALPA is the EXCLUSIVE Bargaining Agent with Delta Air Lines Management. The chain of command is this:
Delta
/\
ALPA
/\
Delta Pilots
If ALPA is removed from the picture, the exclusive relationship will no longer exist. With the DPA, it is possible that ALPA could make an representational end run around the DPA. Consider this alternative flow chart.
Delta
/\
DPA, ALPA, Teamsters
/\
Comair, ASA, Republic, Delta, Mesaba, Compass, etc ...
What folks forget about "unity" is that real unity is structural, not emotional. Our unity comes from being one bargaining agent who represents the entire productive capacity of the Company.
Originally Posted by
Bucking Bar
TSquare,
Yes, ALPA denied ASA & Comair pilots an ability to bargain with Delta management and fought them in Court. (D-ALPA wasn't even a party to the litigation)
Yes, without ALPA blocking, a regional airline unit could (conceivably) make an end run around us since they would be able to negotiate with Delta management. Some say our contract would protects us, but during self help the Company could sign deals with other pilots. Those deals, signed prior to our contract, would create both bargaining leverage for the company and a very real threat of alter ego replacement.
There is also the question of our "left over flying." ALPA has prevented DCI carriers from establishing scope which controls our outsourced flying.
If the DPA thinks it can recover our flying, they need to think through the next several moves of the Chess game and realize that they'll be playing defense too, not just offense.
As I watch our numbers, I am not pleased with Delta's stagnation as our competitors (and our so called friends within SkyTeam) grow. I am sure the Delta MEC is fighting for us. When I think of the DPA replacing ALPA, I have to resolve the question, "can the DPA protect my job more effectively?" Thus far, the answer is no.
On the scope front, we're in a fight for our lives. I've got to pick the experienced team which provides the best, structural, chance of success.
Bar, what is your end goal here? You want ASA pilots (who do not fly exclusively for Delta Air Lines but also United) to be on the Delta pilot seniority list and represented by the Delta MEC, right?
Out of fear that if we don't do that ASA/ExpressJet/Skywest* will make an end-around the contract and go to the company and demand to scope Delta pilots and take flying for their own, as in aircraft larger than what they're permitted to currently fly per our existing PWA?
*Not ALPA
What's wrong with ending ASA's relationship with Delta completely? No more ASA flying as Delta Connection and replace ASA's service to Delta with Delta pilots and Delta aircraft and Delta pilots fight for Delta pilots - only? As in take care of your own family before you worry about your neighbors? Or is that me being bigoted again? Because the way I see it, end DCI, hire here. It's simple and clean.
And how would this end-around work? Section 1C applies if you try to operate non permitted aircraft. ASA could claim the right to be the exclusive DCI but their company's contract with Delta probably doesn't allow that. So they could claim they could scope us out of aircraft that are non-permitted but then Section 1C does kick in. Not sure I'm following how they accomplish this end-around?
Because how does this work?
Delta & United
/\
ALPA
/\
Delta Pilots & Delta Pilots who are flying for United Airlines
And isn't ASA merging with ExpressJet, so there will be 1 seniority list right? ExpressJet doesn't fly for Delta. How do you determine who is a Delta pilot and represented by the Delta MEC right along with Delta mainline pilots? So two different unions for the same pilot group?