Originally Posted by
StoneQOLdCrazy
Not exactly. In fact, how did you say it, you "missed the mark by a wide margin."
DALPA and Delta are contractually compelled to jointly file for mediation 90 days after the amendable date. In theory this prevents eternal slow rolling by mgmt. Had nothing to do with "DALPA [becoming] more entrenched." Anyway, I view it as a positive when my bargaining agent is "entrenched" against an anti-union cheapskate mgmt team.
Mediation isn't the boogeyman Kirby is trying to make it out to be. He's jedi mind-tricking the United pilot group. It is the ONLY path to a legal job action, or at least the credible threat of a job action. If UALPA had filed for mediation 90 days after their amendable date, or as soon as the Tumi TA tanked, think about how much closer a deal would be...especially after the NMB saw what one of UAL's "peers" negotiated.
Recommend UALPA consider a similar provision.
Mediation is the only way to get to the next steps in the process. It takes a minimum of 2 years and then the gloves can come off. Until well into mediation, there's no real threat of self help which is the only leverage that matters. Public opinion manipulation is a weak lever. They don't sign the agreement and they have no say in negotiations. Shareholder concern is what makes the managers nervous.