Bar,

I don't understand your thinking on this. DPA's concerns on the language in the ALPA Administrative Manual seem legit to me. It's just like our poorly written, loop hole ridden, scope language. You can't just bury your head in the sand and say, "oh no big deal, nobody will ever use that."

 

I still don't understand why the DPA crowd doesn't put any real energy into a signed pledge or "contract with Delta Pilots" that they take to each LEC rep, and if they don't get on board with it, start a recall process. If the DPA supporters are genuinely desire change to the point of actually taking action.

It will do a number of things, all of which will be good for Delta Pilots.

1) The LEC reps will understand that they have a large number of pilots who are willing so be active in their commitment to restoration and that they expect actions and communications from their reps that reflect that, if not then they will be replaced with a rep who is on board with that message.

2) It will show that the DPA is more than just a vocal discontented group of pilots, and that they are intent on taking action.

3) Give a "member-driven" agenda to the MEC to act upon. It is said by many DALPA proponents (and I am one of them as of now), that if you want to see change, go to meetings, send up resolutions, get involved. If 3000 pilots (and I'm sure many like-minded in all respects of restoring the profession but not wanting to go solo to get there) it would have potentially unifying results.

DPA propents better step up to the plate when it comes time for negotiations to ensue.....I still want to see 3000+ members volunteer for the SPC when called upon to send a message to DAL management that we are ready, willing, and that we truly demand restoration.

DPA needs to show me a "body of work" before I can believe that it will be better with a different bargaining agent. Show me some concrete examples of accomplishment, small at first and growing larger over time that PROVE to me that the theory and efficacy of their ideas produce results. I'm not voting for a group that hasn't proved to me that they can accomplish goals to improve my career as a Delta Pilot.

So far, DALPA is doing ok...Not excellent, just ok. The results are satisfactory for work outside Section 6, the communication to the pilot group on "clarity of purpose and mission" from DALPA stinks.

I think of DALPA and the "best contracts ever negotitated" argument with the investment disclaimer: "Past returns do not garauntee future results."

All I can say for DPA thus far: ...............................
DPA proponents better step up to the plate when it comes time for negotiations to ensue.....I still want to see 3000+ members volunteer for the SPC when called upon to send a message to DAL management that we are ready, willing, and that we truly demand restoration.

 

I know you don't have any concerns about it...

 

Shiznit,

I see some merit in your idea about widespread recalls. I'd jump on board with that with my reps in a heartbeat if I thought it would do any good. But how does that solve the conflict of interest with ALPA National and the info/advice/services they provide to us? How does it make what's best for the Delta pilots the #1 priority and only consideration with the union representing us?

 

Ferd, PMFJI, but is there really more work as a negotiator because our pilot group is bigger? The contract still has the same number of sections. The number of pilots working under that contract, IMO, is not relevant to the work load of negotiating it. My understanding is that the cost of full time FPL, benefits, expenses, travel and lodging for the extra negotiator is over $400k/year. If the Negotiating Chairman says he prefers three vs. four, or he can be equally effective with three v. four, should it be a four man committee?

 

DALPA is broken. As another person here mentioned earlier the system in place at ALPA/DALPA is built to resist true change. Many have contacted their reps, gone to the meetings, tried recalls, ect only to be shut out/down. Its time to start fresh with a new blueprint for success. There is just too much fat and red tape to cut at DALPA. It makes more sense to build a structure from the ground up beholden only to Delta Pilots and Delta Pilots alone without having to tiptoe around the wants/needs of the connection pilots who are now currently represented by ALPA.

 

ALPA will never file that grievance. Doing so could bring their conflict of interest into full view. A ruling in favor of our scope clause could trigger lawsuits against ALPA for violating their duty of fair representation to RJ pilots.
That may be the real reason for the prior scope settlement as well. If Moak had proceeded with the grievance and forced DAL to park those 76 seaters then the DCI pilots would have sued ALPA.
The relevant portions of our scope clause were negotiated without going through ALPA's stated policy of consulting with the RJ guys as called for in the RJDC settlement agreement.
Its a fine mess were in.

Now we've apparently lost the TWA suit. We're all going to get to pay for that too. ALPA's legal team is on a roll.

 

Republic Airlines Holdings pilots are TEAMSTERS members. There is no "conflict of interest" within ALPA. ALPA does not represent them.

 

Not to worry, we have the best lawyers ALPA money can buy. They are right on top of it. You think so when they also represent the very DCI guys that our flying is being out sourced to??????? HMMMM!!!

 

As I've said in other places, you have to prove to me that "DPA supporters" can change the smaller things first, and that will give me confidence to trust that the aims and methods of a "DPA" can and will be successful in the larger. So far its just been talk and complain, "DALPA su*ks, our way is better."

DPA needs to show me that they will TRY to fix the problems they see at the local level, if they can't modify and fix the current policy manual, how on God's green earth are they going to write one from scratch. Even if the efforts are rebuffed, you've now created a "body of work" that you can use to SPECIFICALLY show how a "DPA" would function and the structure that would be employed! That would give real and concrete examples that the "silent majority" could use to compare one system over the other. Without that, its all just bluster.

If DPA can't even muster the effort, organization and resolve to fix small things now; they will not be able to "rebuild" a large labor union from the ground up.