Purple Drank

If management wants to go the "Traditional" route...then so will we.

Starting in a couple of hours.

GivemeVSP

Right there with you

Big E 757

I never bought a backpack, but I will buy one to leave outside the 4th floor offices to show where I stand on our current TA 2 negotiations.

I'm willing to wait a few weeks to see if we make any progress, but if management starts dragging their feet, 12000 backpacks dropped off outside RA's office door would send a message.

It's better than the inflatable rat, anyway. I think the rat is currently being used by employees of Coca Cola in Chicago right now.

buckleyboy

Hang on a minute...Delta is using the P-word again.
Flight Plan 2016 says the bobs plan to "Invest $1.5B in retirement plans (pensionand 401k)"
So leave that backpack on. You don't want Daddy R or Daddy E to write us out of the will!

maddogmax

Remember, some former NWA guys still have a DB plan that DAL funds.

notEnuf

Along with capped pensions for non-cons. They are not adding any obligations or beneficiaries, its only a financial goal. Just paying down debt essentially.

poostain

New bag tag? How about "backpack off ballsack on"

Whereisalpa

Remember a bunch of south guys took the lump sum and ran. A former divorce is not a factor in this marriage.

notEnuf

Only in The United States of America and only a select few contracts governed by the Railway Labor Act are amendable dates found. Why? Congress decided several years ago (1926) the railroad industry was so critical to the infrastructure of the country and its economy that a labor disruption would be too onerous on the country and could stifle development during the critical age of mechanization that lead to the industrial revolution. Later (1936) the airline industry was added to the act.

The peaceful process invoked by the RLA requires contracts to become amendable on a specified date instead of expiring. The contract continues in effect until amended and the parties must maintain the duties and obligations outlined in the contract.

An amendable date is practically a date for angst and dissention to begin. The amendable date is nothing more than an end to labor cost increases. The contract when amended at some point in the future then starts anew with an applicable amendable date. The cycle repeats itself and the 3-4 year contract becomes the 5-6 year contract with the last years never providing benefits to labor but huge savings to management.

Amendment dates, are the date the new contract becomes effective. Amendment dates vary and the reasons are diverse. Delta amended its pilot contract 6 months before the amendable date in 2012, while Southwest has yet to amend their contract from the same time period. United is amending their contract years prior to the amendable date. Why is there such diversity? Motivation. Management’s motivation is most likely timing. If costs can be held down by extending the current contract there is little motivation. Conversely if costs can be set for the future at an acceptable level and may increase if delayed, then there is reason to settle early.

The Delta pilot contract is a unique contract for two reasons. The first reason is its effective removal of an amendable date. The second is its unprecedented variable compensation. First, how does it remove the penalty of the amendable date? The “me too” clause is written to provide pay rate increases when other employees are granted them, and the pilot rates are below the industry average. There is no expiration associated, it continues until amended. The second is profit sharing. The contract defines the amount and distribution of the variable compensation due the pilots for years that are profitable, again without expiration. The level of variable compensation will grow with the company.

There is no reason to fear an amendable date or change the business like process to find an acceptable amendment. The sense of urgency some will try to create is unwarranted. Contracts are amended on dates other than the amendable date in every case. Whether by LOA, MOU, or a section 6 agreement, contracts change frequently. The amendable date only marks the date regular annual raises end. In the unprecedented unique case of the Delta pilots, they will continue to automatically adjust to industry average pay rates while the real reward above and beyond the industry compensation comes in the form of 22% profit sharing for 2015. In 2016, that number is projected to grow again. This situation is now being realized. The long term effect of contract 2012 will be to show the wisdom of percentage gains due to profit sharing that automatically recover after a loss year and automatic rate increases tied to the industry average. There will be significant compensation increases to come without concessions as long as these clauses are not amended. Congratulations, the amendable date is no longer a penalty.

Hank Kingsley

My buddy in Doha is took the early, he did so under duress. Not the best situation to make a life decision. There was no clear information from Dalpa regarding the pension funding level. So he didn't run.