Contract issues
 

Since one of the threads has actually taken on a civil tone regarding the merger between DAL and NWA, I wanted to continue it in another one, but I would ask that guys from all airlines respond too, so that maybe in the future when you are negotiating Section 6 you can have a little ammunition to take to YOUR negotiators about things you would like to see in your contract. For all of the contracts I have seen at DAL, there have been comparisons put out by the MEC, but I feel those kinds of things are of some, but little value since you don't get that human perspective from a written sheet.

For example, To see how jumpseat works at our airline versus how it works at NWA for commuting purposes has been a real eye opener for me. I really like the way it is at NWA, and I would like to see our negotiators strive for that when working out this joint contract. I am sure there are many other things that might be desirable at UAL or USA... Alaska... even you Cathay guys might have something that might be valuable for an American carrier to consider.

I only ask one thing here, and since I am not a monitor, I cannot control the thread... PLEASE don't degenerate this into a "My airline is better than YOUR airline because... you guys suck..." thread... Just post things about YOUR contract that you like... hate... whatever, that you want to see changed, or held on to. Maybe.. if we can keep this one civil, we can all learn something, and hopefully bend the ear of our contract negotiators and improve all our lives.

Thanks,
Steve

I think ALPA should keep a master contract at HQ. Cherry pick all the best parts from all the different pilot contracts. And have min. pay rates for all A/C. Then when it's time for a new contract just drop the master contract on the table and say this is our lowerest offer.
IM

I know that it is a pipe dream, but the only way to achieve true stability for this profession is a National List. It would offer the portability of your skills and experience that every other profession has. Until we obtain this we as ALPA and airline pilots will constantly be fighting an uphill battle.

I don't believe a master list would offer portability of the job. Why would a airline management team ever hire a pilot they had to bring in at a higher pay rate and above the seniority of their existing pilots. It would upset the pilots on their list and cost more money. They would only hire pilots coming in at the bottom. Sometimes we forget that it is a management function to hire pilots. If they wanted loyality from their current pilots they would never hire some one in on top of them.

I agree with what you are saying. There would be need to have hiring done by the union or someone else. I understand the economics of this industry quite well.
Like I said it was a pipe dream. It essence the only way for that to work would be to have all positions at every airline open to bid for every pilot on the list. Like I said it will never happen.
Fact is that we are a commodity and it is managements job to get us to do it for the lowest wage possible. We will see if anyones management is dumb enough to ask for concessions this time around. To date they have been fairly successful in getting us to do so. The reason we do it is because once you have been somewhere for awhile it is better to take the cut than to start over. They know it and so do we.

*sigh*... oh well.... nevermind.

Now, now....don't give up tsquare!:D

Carl

T-square,

Maybe try this post in a more general area of the BB... since this is in the Mergers and Acquisitions area its probably just us 10 NWA & DAL pilots. :D

In the maritime industry management must hire from the union hiring hall, which considering some of the antics I have witnessed out of management I like the idea of taking away the hiring choice from management..... One less way they can use whipsaw against us.

Maritime unions are not bound the the Railway labor act. Sadly Airline unions are. Makes a huge difference in what you can and can't do.