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NWA ALPA's Take on the Merger

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NWA ALPA's Take on the Merger

Old 04-14-2008, 05:52 PM
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Default NWA ALPA's Take on the Merger

In This Hotline

NWA MEC Opposes NWA/DAL Merger Monday, April 14, 2008

Today the managements and Boards of Directors of Northwest and Delta Air Lines announced their intent to merge. In addition, a new pilot contract was agreed upon by the Delta MEC and Delta management without the participation of the Northwest pilot group. No details on this contract are available at present. The Northwest MEC strongly opposes the merger with Delta Air Lines as it stands.

Reasons for Opposition:

Northwest pilots will be disadvantaged in obtaining a joint contract and potentially in the seniority list integration process.
The current process is highly likely to recreate the USAirways-America West merger environment.
Northwest pilots are not brought to immediate parity with Delta pilots, potentially putting Northwest pilots on a B-Scale for years.


This merger announcement has come after months of negotiations which had resolved all joint pilot contract issues except for the differing views on the integration of pilot seniority. The NWA MEC, on numerous occasions, stated our willingness to resolve seniority integration by expedited arbitration. The Delta pilot leadership rejected arbitration as a means of resolving the seniority list issue at that time, but has now reversed its position. The Delta pilot leadership also abandoned the joint pilot contract approach and agreed to a new Delta pilot contract that increased the pay and benefits for their pilots only. Any previous value and synergy created by the merger is likely to be lost due to this one-sided agreement.



More information is available in a Ziplines from MEC Chairman Dave Stevens which will be published shortly.



This marks the end of today's Hotline.



Your MEC remains committed to protecting your jobs, your seniority and your future
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Old 04-14-2008, 06:01 PM
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Originally Posted by 757Driver View Post
In This Hotline

The Northwest MEC strongly opposes the merger with Delta Air Lines as it stands.

Northwest pilots will be disadvantaged in obtaining a joint contract and potentially in the seniority list integration process.
How will NWA pilots be disadvantaged in obtaining a joint contract? It is a joint contract. Both sides have to work together to get it.

Also, I do not understand why they are whining about not getting in on the rewards when all they have done is get in the way of a fair deal that would have benefitted their pilots. What have they done to deserve equity?

I know the average NWA pilot should not be painted with the same brush, but their leadership is lacking.

Of course the DAL MEC is working to protect and promote its advantage in arbitration. The DAL MEC did not want to go there (and still does not) but if forced to fight, they will fight effectively. What else would you expect?

Together we can build and benefit from the World's largest airline. Welcome aboard, just holster your pistol before boarding.

Last edited by Bucking Bar; 04-14-2008 at 06:15 PM.
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Old 04-14-2008, 06:15 PM
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It's sad that NWALPA leadership isn't seeing that there's nothing they can do to stop this merger. Steenland and his gangs are already set sail on their golden parachute, they leave just like any other CEO and his golf buddies, collecting all the sacrifices all the people at NWA have put in. It is time for our NWA brothers and sisters to start working with their new mgmt, our mgmt team in Atlanta to get a joint contract. The longer it takes us to do that, the harder it will be for us all to set the bar higher in the future.
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Old 04-14-2008, 06:18 PM
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The Delta pilots went down cheap. This will be a classic whipsaw of labor, i.e. pilots to suppress union solidarity. What have we Northwest pilots done? We delivered this manna to RA through our draconian cuts, and our continued professional performance. I have 22 years flying the red tail for which I am grateful for the outstanding pilot group I have worked with. Now we will be Delta pilots and we will be the same professionals. But we won't trade our seniority for a few nuggets from RA. We will work for an equitable and fair integration, a combined industry leading contract and the best pilot group in the world. That is what Northwest pilots will do for Delta. And we know that RA does not represent our best interests, and if you Delta pilots think he is doing anything for your personal benefit, then we can give you a little bit of help reading your tea leaves. Best wishes to all combined Delta Airlines pilots.
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Old 04-14-2008, 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Kingbird87 View Post
The Delta pilots went down cheap.
Sorry DAL types but I completely agree, 17% increase over 4 years. Is this the big reward for all of your givebacks?

Why the heck didn't you tell management to dust off the old proposal or its sand pounding time.

Un-Friggin-Believable.
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Old 04-14-2008, 06:31 PM
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Originally Posted by 757Driver View Post
Sorry DAL types but I completely agree, 17% increase over 4 years. Is this the big reward for all of your givebacks?

Why the heck didn't you tell management to dust off the old proposal or its sand pounding time.

Un-Friggin-Believable.

Can't wait to see your UAL/CAL contract...



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Old 04-14-2008, 06:39 PM
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Originally Posted by staplegun View Post
Can't wait to see your UAL/CAL contract...



Kevin
Well apart from not kissing managements ass and telling the UAL boys how wonderful our management is, I will not be voting yes on anything that resembles the stinking pile of dung your MEC has deemed acceptable.
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Old 04-14-2008, 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by 757Driver View Post
Sorry DAL types but I completely agree, 17% increase over 4 years. Is this the big reward for all of your givebacks?

Why the heck didn't you tell management to dust off the old proposal or its sand pounding time.

Un-Friggin-Believable.
Because they would have simply done the merger without us and we would have received nothing. Pretty simple. This is the first time in history of the airline industries pilots have received something from a merger. DALPA thought outside the box and started setting this up two years ago. Also keep in mind the average pilot will get 80,000 in equity that can become instant cash. Add that into the hourly rates for the next 4 years and they don't look so bad. Also keep in mind that this is only a LOA to the current contract. We have to negotiate a joint contract for the combined pilot group. THis sets a nice floor to start those negotiations from. I bet CAL copies Dalpa playbook in their merger.
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Old 04-14-2008, 06:41 PM
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Originally Posted by sailingfun View Post
Because they would have simply done the merger without us and we would have received nothing. Pretty simple. This is the first time in history of the airline industries pilots have received something from a merger. DALPA thought outside the box and started setting this up two years ago. Also keep in mind the average pilot will get 80,000 in equity that can become instant cash. Add that into the hourly rates for the next 4 years and they don't look so bad. Also keep in mind that this is only a LOA to the current contract. We have to negotiate a joint contract for the combined pilot group. THis sets a nice floor to start those negotiations from. I bet CAL copies Dalpa playbook in their merger.
But a four year deal, completely unacceptable and if we do copy you, I'll be the first to start the recall of our MEC.
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Old 04-14-2008, 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by 757Driver View Post
Looks like NWA ALPA doesn't think its such a great idea:
The Delta pilot leadership also abandoned the joint pilot contract approach and agreed to a new Delta pilot contract that increased the pay and benefits for their pilots only. Any previous value and synergy created by the merger is likely to be lost due to this one-sided agreement.
Had DALPA not work with mngt and made a agreement, the merger would have went forward with NO agreement. NWALPA needs to realize this is not the 20th century anymore. Foot stomping and pouting will get you no where when OIL is $110 a barrel. QUICK ACTION AND CHANGE IS A MUST!!!
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