This response to my email:

Mike,

My two cents underwhelmed is an understatement.

Sick leave shouldn’t have been touched. Myself and a small number of reps opposed touching this. It is much better than the previous TA, but is NOT a win for the pilots, you will likely hear otherwise. This has been a very contentious topic, the MEC had good intentions and assurances for doing this, but didn't pan out as explained. We made numerous recommendations which were less onerous and used in the past but was refused.

This is far from being an industry leading contract, at this point in time.

There are no substantial gains for the pilots, as of yet, but simply addressing the companies wants, which you have addressed. In my opinion this equals concessions.

[C1 S/T] made some compelling arguments on the floor for increased per-diem/Conus rates, this was opposed by one of our negotiators and got no traction after that. Are we done? no we will push it again.

If we cant improve on anything during this period it is an epic failure. By my last account we are NOT in bankruptcy and should not negotiate an agreement that dictates such. This might be a cultural belief, but the process needs to change as our pilots deserve an industry leading contract, not a repetitive path that continues to erode the good we have in the PWA every time we are in negotiations. My guess is, Ed Bastian is no longer loosing sleep thinking he hasn't taken enough from the pilots right now, personally I think he is making up for what he couldn't take by continuing to reward management and shareholders with billions of dollars, but he and shareholders refuse to settle with the pilots, the group that sacrificed the most. In my opinion a time out may be in order.

Since coming into office I have fought at every meeting to address the lack of retirement issues for our pilots and have had little success. As of recently there has been some discussions, but I am still concerned it is just getting enough attention to say it is being addressed, and could see the can kicked down the road by attorneys due to complex issues, blah,blah, blah. I will not give up on this issue, especially in lite of what our group has given up in the past compared to our peers at other airlines, again, did I mention management has no qualms continuing to enrich themselves.

With a failed TA behind us, and better agreements being negotiated by FEDEX, UPS, UAL, (and Allegiant not really in our category) the message should be loud and clear, I’m concerned certain members of ALPA and management learned nothing from the last TA failure and have elected to only hear what they want from the pilots, but not what the pilots are really saying.

Thank you for staying engaged and sending your comments to us. Please continue to do so.

If Not Now Never!

Regards,

[JL]
Captain Representative & Chairman
Delta Airlines ALPA MSP Council 1

....What I read into this is that there are still reps who adhere to the Moak doctrine. It was suggested in another thread that the NMB is controlling this and that our hands are tied. I think that's malarkey. A convenient scapegoat if you will. The limiting factor is reps who, for whatever reason, aren't willing to push for significant gains. That and members of the SPC who lack either vision or backbone. We heard from one a few days ago who waxed eloquent in a dubious and self-serving post. I still think JM is the right man for the job but I'm beginning to think there are forces at play that may be beyond his control. If ALPA mucks this TA up, they deserve whatever the backlash that follows.