Originally Posted by
Purple Drank
Satch...in short, yes. I'll risk an indefinite period of no wage growth. It's absolutely essential to let the company know we're not going to accept a bad deal just to get it done.
Furthermore, let's see MD go on record with the same message. "We will take as long as necessary to attain a contract befitting Delta's record profits--as witnessed by massive increases in every meaningful measurement--including executive compensation [insert stat here].
Let's get it on the record now, and launch an offensive. I'm tired of the company taking the initiative and DALPA always reacting/caught a step behind.
I guess I disagree with the premise that we "aren't offering anything." First, we should note that most guys on the property contributed very heavily when times were bad. That loan is due. There is no reason to give more now.
What we have to "offer" is labor peace. RA relies heavily on the perception that Delta is above labor strife. It's a big part of his move to make Delta an "investment grade" organization. If picketing starts and things get messy, investors--already gunshy about airline stocks--will bolt.
I think this is exactly right. Given what we've seen with the Dickson memo and 117 negotiations, our MEC chairman should be writing a letter similar to this:
"...all indications are that C2015 negotiations are going to be very tough given our desires for an industry leading contract in
all areas, and management's desire to keep us at an industry average. Therefore we must begin the preparations for an option we hope we won't have to use - a strike. If a strike is ultimately called for by our members, it's imperative that all our families are prepared for a pay interruption. With deadlocked negotiations possibly taking two years and another year before they begin, we all have about three years to begin saving for our family's emergency fund. We recommend a minimum of 9 months living expenses be saved. Hopefully management will be reasonable and see the value of having the best pilots in the industry, but we must be prepared if they're not..."
The fact that this is not happening right now, leads me to believe DALPA has no intention of pursuing our ultimate weapon. No matter what.
Carl