John Malone Letter August 26, 2015
08-26-2015, 12:08 PM
#1
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Joined APC: Oct 2010
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John Malone Letter August 26, 2015
This was posted on August 26, 2015 on the Facebook Group Widget Pilot TA/Contract Discussion.
John Malone
Atlanta, GA
To all Pilots:
Below is what I intend to be my final letter to the MEC relating to the election for the position of MEC Chair. I hope you have not minded me including you in a process that usually takes place beyond the sight of the vast majority of line pilots. Regardless of the outcome of this election, I sincerely hope that we, the line pilots, remain engaged at the level we are demonstrating today.
Notes for the readers who were not employed by DAL prior to our last merger:
C2K was our big up contract. It was actually signed in the summer of 2001.
LOA 46 was a large down contract. It was an effort to stave off bankruptcy.
While not mentioned by name, LOA 51 was our in bankruptcy contract.
Sincerely,
John
P.S. Permission to distribute
To: Delta MEC
From: Captain John Malone
Subject: Addressing Concerns/Your Path Forward
Date: August 26, 2015
Gentlemen,
As promised, this letter will serve to address MEC concerns regarding a path forward and my candidacy to help you along that path.
From what I gather, one concern seems to revolve around rumors of my leadership style; some saying it is too autocratic. Rather than counter that characterization with mere words, I’d like to use LOA 46 as an example of my style of leadership in facilitating the MEC’s responsibility for direction and oversight.
When negotiations were in the final phase for LOA 46, we staged the MEC to sit “short call” at a hotel while the negotiators met with management. When the negotiators would hit an impasse, we’d bring them before the MEC; sometimes with less than one hour’s notice. The MEC would receive their report and then redirect. This went on for days. The MEC had complete ownership of the final product and it was supported by a unanimous vote. The pilot group, too, supported the agreement by a significant margin. This was an extremely stressful time for the MEC and the pilot group as a whole; yet, we all remained committed to the process and the outcome as a last ditch effort to avoid bankruptcy. We know Delta was overcome by other factors and eventually filed for bankruptcy, but I am extremely proud of the efforts the pilot group and the MEC made in those dark days.
Some MEC members have voiced concerns over the committee appointment process. I am open and receptive to your direction and input for these important positions. I also want to stress the administration must follow whatever policy the MEC directs.
All that said, you still need a leader and spokesperson for the MEC and pilot group. Now, more than ever, you, and the pilots, need someone who has the respect of both the pilot group and the respect of senior management. As the Negotiating Chairman for C2K and the MEC Chair for LOA 46, I believe I am uniquely qualified in that regard. I know when it’s time to take, and I know when it’s time to give. There was too much give in relation to the amount of take in your first effort, as borne out by the pilot TA vote. You must fix that imbalance to get a negotiated agreement the pilots will embrace.
Your most pressing and immediate concern is this: How do you deal with a management team that claims there is no more to give? The MEC confronts this head on by sending me across the street, as a de facto member of the Negotiating Committee and the MEC’s representative, to remind senior management there was no limit to what they demanded from us when times were tough; to remind senior management times are no longer tough; to remind senior management of the value of what we voluntarily surrendered to help our company in its greatest time of need; to remind senior management of the additional forced sacrifices of bankruptcy; to remind senior management of the time value of our concessions; to remind senior management of our contributions to the expedited completion of a single operating certificate post-merger; to remind senior management of the misguided use of unprecedented profits on stock buybacks; to remind senior management of the professionalism, commitment to the schedule and safety record of the Delta pilots; to remind senior management of the paramount importance of maintaining a positive relationship with its pilots; to remind senior management that protracted negotiations serve no positive purpose and only force our hand to begin informational picketing and other lawful efforts to deliver our message; and, finally, to remind senior management it’s our turn now.
I would also ensure senior management understands they share equal responsibility for the TA failure.
Once they have heard that message, the Negotiating Committee can get down to the business of negotiations.
I have the resumé and credibility to say all those things on your behalf and on behalf of the pilot group, if that’s the direction of the MEC. One caveat - if that is not the direction you wish to go, I may not be your best choice. However, I believe that is exactly what the pilots are clamoring for from their union.
The MEC must also find a rallying cry for the pilot group. My suggestion would be “Restore the Profession – Again” (Note - the original “Restore the Profession” slogan came from within the 1999 MEC). It reminds the pilots we have done it before and we can do it again. But, ultimately, that’s an MEC decision.
Finally, you have my commitment to maintain the bottom up design of our ALPA structure, Constitution and Bylaws and the intent of the Policy Manual. The ultimate power rests with the pilots through the MEC, not the MEC Chairman. I stand ready to serve to help you regain the trust of the pilots, secure a contract we can all be proud of and put to rest, once and for all, any doubt as to ALPA’s ability to deliver for the Delta pilots.
If elected, once our contract is ratified, I plan to return to the line to do what I enjoy most - flying with the finest pilots in the industry for my last few years before retirement.
If I am not elected, I will fully support Captain Bill Bartels and I expect the MEC to stand behind him 100%.
I look forward to meeting you in the coming days.
Respectfully submitted,
John Malone
ATL 7ERA
[email protected]
John Malone
Atlanta, GA
To all Pilots:
Below is what I intend to be my final letter to the MEC relating to the election for the position of MEC Chair. I hope you have not minded me including you in a process that usually takes place beyond the sight of the vast majority of line pilots. Regardless of the outcome of this election, I sincerely hope that we, the line pilots, remain engaged at the level we are demonstrating today.
Notes for the readers who were not employed by DAL prior to our last merger:
C2K was our big up contract. It was actually signed in the summer of 2001.
LOA 46 was a large down contract. It was an effort to stave off bankruptcy.
While not mentioned by name, LOA 51 was our in bankruptcy contract.
Sincerely,
John
P.S. Permission to distribute
To: Delta MEC
From: Captain John Malone
Subject: Addressing Concerns/Your Path Forward
Date: August 26, 2015
Gentlemen,
As promised, this letter will serve to address MEC concerns regarding a path forward and my candidacy to help you along that path.
From what I gather, one concern seems to revolve around rumors of my leadership style; some saying it is too autocratic. Rather than counter that characterization with mere words, I’d like to use LOA 46 as an example of my style of leadership in facilitating the MEC’s responsibility for direction and oversight.
When negotiations were in the final phase for LOA 46, we staged the MEC to sit “short call” at a hotel while the negotiators met with management. When the negotiators would hit an impasse, we’d bring them before the MEC; sometimes with less than one hour’s notice. The MEC would receive their report and then redirect. This went on for days. The MEC had complete ownership of the final product and it was supported by a unanimous vote. The pilot group, too, supported the agreement by a significant margin. This was an extremely stressful time for the MEC and the pilot group as a whole; yet, we all remained committed to the process and the outcome as a last ditch effort to avoid bankruptcy. We know Delta was overcome by other factors and eventually filed for bankruptcy, but I am extremely proud of the efforts the pilot group and the MEC made in those dark days.
Some MEC members have voiced concerns over the committee appointment process. I am open and receptive to your direction and input for these important positions. I also want to stress the administration must follow whatever policy the MEC directs.
All that said, you still need a leader and spokesperson for the MEC and pilot group. Now, more than ever, you, and the pilots, need someone who has the respect of both the pilot group and the respect of senior management. As the Negotiating Chairman for C2K and the MEC Chair for LOA 46, I believe I am uniquely qualified in that regard. I know when it’s time to take, and I know when it’s time to give. There was too much give in relation to the amount of take in your first effort, as borne out by the pilot TA vote. You must fix that imbalance to get a negotiated agreement the pilots will embrace.
Your most pressing and immediate concern is this: How do you deal with a management team that claims there is no more to give? The MEC confronts this head on by sending me across the street, as a de facto member of the Negotiating Committee and the MEC’s representative, to remind senior management there was no limit to what they demanded from us when times were tough; to remind senior management times are no longer tough; to remind senior management of the value of what we voluntarily surrendered to help our company in its greatest time of need; to remind senior management of the additional forced sacrifices of bankruptcy; to remind senior management of the time value of our concessions; to remind senior management of our contributions to the expedited completion of a single operating certificate post-merger; to remind senior management of the misguided use of unprecedented profits on stock buybacks; to remind senior management of the professionalism, commitment to the schedule and safety record of the Delta pilots; to remind senior management of the paramount importance of maintaining a positive relationship with its pilots; to remind senior management that protracted negotiations serve no positive purpose and only force our hand to begin informational picketing and other lawful efforts to deliver our message; and, finally, to remind senior management it’s our turn now.
I would also ensure senior management understands they share equal responsibility for the TA failure.
Once they have heard that message, the Negotiating Committee can get down to the business of negotiations.
I have the resumé and credibility to say all those things on your behalf and on behalf of the pilot group, if that’s the direction of the MEC. One caveat - if that is not the direction you wish to go, I may not be your best choice. However, I believe that is exactly what the pilots are clamoring for from their union.
The MEC must also find a rallying cry for the pilot group. My suggestion would be “Restore the Profession – Again” (Note - the original “Restore the Profession” slogan came from within the 1999 MEC). It reminds the pilots we have done it before and we can do it again. But, ultimately, that’s an MEC decision.
Finally, you have my commitment to maintain the bottom up design of our ALPA structure, Constitution and Bylaws and the intent of the Policy Manual. The ultimate power rests with the pilots through the MEC, not the MEC Chairman. I stand ready to serve to help you regain the trust of the pilots, secure a contract we can all be proud of and put to rest, once and for all, any doubt as to ALPA’s ability to deliver for the Delta pilots.
If elected, once our contract is ratified, I plan to return to the line to do what I enjoy most - flying with the finest pilots in the industry for my last few years before retirement.
If I am not elected, I will fully support Captain Bill Bartels and I expect the MEC to stand behind him 100%.
I look forward to meeting you in the coming days.
Respectfully submitted,
John Malone
ATL 7ERA
[email protected]
08-26-2015, 12:34 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2015
Position: CA
Posts: 357
Given the info we have right now, I would take Malone over Bartel (sp?). The membership should be voting on this btw. Not 11 has-been's grasping to keep their FLP as long as possible when they are no longer wanted.
08-26-2015, 05:09 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2015
Position: stake holder ir.delta.com
Posts: 10,022
BB supports JM, JM supports BB. What?! North and south in perfect harmony, cats and dogs living together... What's next? A functional union that represents its pilots? Ok, I may have gone too far there. We shall see. Nice to hear the rhetoric, I hope they can deliver. C44 you're up!
Last edited by notEnuf; 08-26-2015 at 05:50 PM.
08-28-2015, 10:29 AM
#7
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jan 2010
Position: A320
Posts: 74
I hope anyone that supports this platform should email their reps and tell them who they want as MEC chairman. Even those reps up for recall should should be willing to listen vote for the candidate who can deliver the pilot group to back the MEC.
If management has to engaged a unified pilot group, we should end up with a better contract because we are not as divided as we have been. I like the message of JM's letter and it's clear, concise, and to the point.
If my reps vote for Malone, I think it will show that they are truly listening. I want them to hear from the pilot group. Again, email your reps and give input.
MC
If management has to engaged a unified pilot group, we should end up with a better contract because we are not as divided as we have been. I like the message of JM's letter and it's clear, concise, and to the point.
If my reps vote for Malone, I think it will show that they are truly listening. I want them to hear from the pilot group. Again, email your reps and give input.
MC
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