Yes, it was a scope issue, dealing with the scope section of the Delta pilots working agreement. (think the reference is 1 B. 46. but don't think anyone cares enough for me to look it up). Bilateral flows were a big thing following the Comair example of their MEC Chair trying to refuse Delta pilots a right of concurrent seniority while on furlough. Then, after the NWA merger DL had WAAAAY more pilots than it needed. I was repeatedly told "our scope section works by not working." Lee Moak was able to argue against furloughing the bottom DL pilots because of the cost of the flow-down.
Anecdotally: I YS as much as possible and almost de-qual'd on my second (or third) narrow body displacement for lack of flying on a narrow-body jet! DL could have easily flushed me for 18 to 24 months, so the flow down worked (by not working) to keep my job. This time it likely would have functioned in the same way, but there were more variables (pandemic, government action to protect jobs, etc...)
Originally Posted by
CBreezy
It's been a few years so I'm not 100% clear on the details, but, this really didn't have much to do with scope, per se. We continued to allow Delta to operate 76 seat aircraft permitted by the Compass LOA after the Compass wind down for whatever reason. During the post covid spool up, we suddenly remembered it was there and objected to them unparking aircraft because we didn't have a flow down. Delta then negotiated a flow up in exchange for allowing a flow down at Endeavor. Delta says, poof, you have your flow down. We can fly them. We filed a grievance that the LOA only applied to Compass, who is now defunct. No new scope language or application was negotiated. Then we lost the grievance in arbitration handedly
Endeavor's contract conflicted with Delta's (on several occasions). One of the President's
primary responsibilities is to make sure that the bargaining they authorize does not create a conflict between ALPA working groups. This even goes higher that the Admin Manual to the Constitution of the organization. It is the reason the President's signature is even on an ALPA contract.
Originally Posted by ALPA Constitution and ByLaws Article XVIII
SECTION 1 - COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
Conference or negotiations shall not be initiated, carried on, or concluded in the name of ALPA by any
member, group, or groups of members thereof to make or establish employment agreements relating
to rates of pay, rules, or other conditions of employment, or any other agreements, contracts, or
documents of a similar or related character, or any other form of agreements, contracts, or documents
without the prior approval of the President. Any and all agreements, contracts, or documents of any
and every character whatsoever shall not become effective, binding or operative unless and until they
bear the signature of the President.