Originally Posted by
DAL 88 Driver
I have to disagree with your assessment a little. Yes, there has been an increase in the volume of one-way communication coming from DALPA to the line pilots. However, proper communication must be "two-way" and be understood and seriously considered in order to be valid. While DALPA has paid a lot of lip service to wanting pilot input, I don't see anything actually changing.
1. We are now going to be paid the NWA way,
via a resolution sent up from members.
2. The P2P program is back, with well over 120 volunteers and still growing, with
the express purpose of "sending up" communication and making sure it gets a response, if requested.
3. My(and other bases) new LEC reps are setting up and announcing the LEC meetings far enough in advance that I can bid to try and be there,
so my voice can be heard.
4. In NYC, they have also restarted the LEC newsletter and darn near are
BEGGING for input from the membership.(so are ATL and DTW, maybe others I haven't read all the LEC newletters).
5. Wilson polling is now pretty much constant, so that the MEC can know the mindset and desires of the membership.
6. The MEC put out recently that they are preparing the contract surveys for 2012,
so that the membership will be able to have their say in the upcoming Section 6.
Originally Posted by
DAL 88 Driver
We are still plodding along on essentially the same path Lee Moak put us on... getting the same results Lee Moak got. Our W-2's are at a level of buying power almost identical to what we had while the company was in bankruptcy and supposedly in danger of liquidation. In other words... no improvement to pay. A massive percentage of our domestic flying continues to be flown by non-Delta pilots.
1. Previous administration, lots of turnover in the LEC.
2. How does any of this get accomplished outside of a Section 6? I'd like a plan for that, we would all get behind it if there was a legitimate and available plan of action.
"Want in one hand and (******) in the other and see which one fills up faster" comes to mind.
Originally Posted by
DAL 88 Driver
DALPA seems to go out of its way to interpret any potential scope violation in the company's favor.
1. If there is a violation, it has been defended in the past and will be pursued in the future. We have a Committee dedicated to reviewing Scope on a constant basis. "Want in one hand......"
2. The last scope grievance forces the company to abide by OUR definition on numbers of active aircraft going forward? (even though the company was going to be in compliance either way within a very short time frame, now WE own the precedent and acknowledgment by the company that our definitions are to be used (not to mention how that will affect the Company's arguments in front of arbitrators in the future).
Originally Posted by
DAL 88 Driver
And DALPA refuses to make any kind of case for restoration of our profession and our careers. The silence on that one is deafening!
What needs to be said? All parties with a stake know that we think we are under-compensated. How much under and what will we take? Any "professional negotiator" would tell you to keep that a secret until it becomes an advantage to do so. What advantage is gained by putting out that information at the present time?
Originally Posted by
DAL 88 Driver
These are the main reasons I have given up on ALPA and do not believe it can be "fixed from within." Just too much entrenchment and resistance to change. The only hope I see for us at this point is something like DPA. Anyway, just one line pilot's opinion... and unfortunately, we can't get enough line pilots to even pay enough attention to evaluate it one way or the other. Very frustrating and not encouraging at all. Apathy kills... and it (along with a union who's objectives are completely unclear) has severely damaged the Delta pilots careers.
I have not given up on ALPA, even when the consensus doesn't agree with what
I personally want to happen, I'm part of a team. I think that plenty of pilots, probably more than a majority really have "evaluated it one way or the other" and have decided that a new bargaining agent is not in their best interest. Apathy does kill, and it has been strangling us for a while, I'm getting involved in any way I can (and not just on APC), I'll have to do more than my part to help effect positive change for my team, because(very unfortunately) we have many who are too apathetic to play any part in restoring the profession.*
*DPA supporters are NOT apatheic in my view, but if the movement doesn't turn into a vote, I truly hope that those with the courage to submit a card will take that same energy into their LEC and the upcoming Section 6. I'm not saying anyone "must" take part in order to be legit, many people have other obligations that prevent "very active" roles in the union and that is just fine, we all have lives.
Just a for instance: What would the message to the company be if 2000 guys signed up to be part of the Strike Preparedness Committee 6 months before the Section 6 opened? Mad and full of energy is just what the SPC will need in about a year. IMHO, that would send a very strong message to the company.