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Old 04-15-2008, 11:49 AM
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Check Essential
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Joined APC: Dec 2007
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Originally Posted by Superpilot92 View Post
Thanks for posting it gives us NWA guys a chance to see whats on the DALALPAs mind.
I speak for no one but here's my strictly unofficial view of what's on DALPA's mind:

Like it or not, we are one pilot group now. DALPA is taking that fact very seriously.
Every action taken has been and will be designed to maximize the economic gains available to ALL the pilots of the new Delta. We have a long future ahead of us as one pilot group. There is strong motivation to quickly negotiate a combined seniority list in good faith with our NWA brothers and then proceed to a new joint contract in an expedited fashion. Management wants it, and they're willing to pay for it. We MUST take advantage of that.

We understand that the initial reaction of many Northwest pilots to the "seperate agreement" that DALPA has signed may be very negative. Look for significant overtures and communication efforts from the Delta pilots to explain our reasoning and motivation for that agreement. We regret that there was not time or opportunity to fully explain it in advance but management's timetable simply didn't allow for it.
The short, oversimplified explanation is - We see the agreement as a PLUS for the NW pilots and are confident that you will eventually see it that way as well. It is designed to benefit all of us. It establishes an economic floor and for the first time in history formally codifies the value of airline labor participation in corporate mergers. Our upfront participation has significant value to the enterprise and we should be compensated accordingly. Establishing that principle was crucial in our view.

However, it is the sincere hope of the Delta pilots that the LOA 19 "seperate agreement" will NEVER go into effect. We fully expect to join with the NWA pilot group in a much richer "joint agreement" well prior to the closing of the corporate transaction.

This new Delta Air Lines has the long term potential to richly reward its pilots. ALL its pilots. The Delta MEC is doing everything in its power to see that come to fruition as quickly as possible.
We urge the Northwest pilots not to react too quickly or harshly to the events of yesterday. First impressions are often wrong. It is the belief of the Delta pilots that upon reflection the Northwest pilots will see the value of this agreement and join with the Delta pilots over the coming days in efforts to enhance and expand upon the existing framework. Together, we will craft a far superior agreement that includes all of us.

Give DALPA a chance. They're pretty sharp guys. Think about what we're arguing about here. DALPA worked their butts off to lay the groundwork for any of this "upfront labor participation" to be possible at all. Normally management would just inform us we've been merged.
And I genuinely believe DALPA has absolutely no intention of "throwing anyone under the bus". Especially not a future co-worker. I hope you will come to believe that as well.

Last edited by Check Essential; 04-15-2008 at 11:56 AM.
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