Interesting update I received today via email:
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In the most recent "Touch & Gos" dated 8/11/11, the DAL MEC Communications Committee attempts to deny the existence of regional carrier impact on our contract. Once again, by weakly attempting to disguise the truth with colorful writing, they've clearly shown you they're behind....the train that is leaving for independence from a dysfunctional legal quagmire brought on by serving too many masters. See the excerpt below from the letter:
"ALPA previously settled a lawsuit commonly referred to as the "Ford/Cooksey lawsuit." As part of this settlement, changes were made to the ALPA Administrative Manual as approved by the court, designed to strengthen ALPA's ability to negotiate scope. The ALPA Administrative Manual reads in part:
" . . .prior to commencement of any bargaining for any ALPA pilot group within a mainline/express system, the applicable Negotiating Committee will meet with the Negotiating Committees of other ALPA pilot groups in the mainline/express system to review opening scope proposals and how they advance ALPA's scope goals and guidelines."
Now reading the ALPA Administrative Manual is only slightly more invigorating than studying for recurrent, so let's discuss in practical terms exactly what the Ford/Cooksey settlement means to the Delta pilots.
It means that while a review of opening scope proposals will occur, no (i.e., zero, nada, zilch, zippo) consensus is required to proceed with negotiations.
Bottom line: The Delta MEC Negotiating Committee does not require the approval of, nor will they seek the approval of, any other MEC to proceed with negotiations affecting the scope provisions of our Pilot Working Agreement. The continued allegations to the contrary are simply false.
So the next time someone tries to get you to believe that any pilots other than Delta pilots have control over the scope provisions of our Pilot Working Agreement, make them a beer bet. Once they agree, simply hand them your copy of the PWA, and ask them to point out the language that was included or even influenced by the "meet and confer" language of the Ford/Cooksey settlement. They will be unable to do so (because that language does not exist), and soon, you will no longer be thirsty."
Let's look a little closer at the "beer bet" the DALPA Communications Committee is encouraging.
FACT: Full Section 6 negotiations have not occurred since Ford-Cooksey was settled in 2008 and the changes to the Administrative Manual implemented. There is, therefore, no language that could have been affected.......yet.
Even if changes had been made, you have no way of knowing what influenced those changes because you have no access to those meetings the Negotiating Commitee must attend with the regional carriers.
At an ATL MEC meeting several months ago, Captain O'Malley, MEC Chairman, stated that:
"All changes to scope are off the table."
This statement has two facets, one of which you may not be considering. Captain O'Malley stressed that ALL changes, both negative or positive, are off the table. While he seems to be unwilling to let any further seats go to the regional carriers, he is also saying that he is unwilling to regain any seats from the regional carriers as well. This is entirely understandable due to the restraints placed on us by the Ford-Cooksey lawsuit settlement (click here for full text). Perhaps Delta Pilots should "stress test" the system by doing the following:
1. Participate in the upcoming Contract Survey promised by the MEC in September. In that survey, make all of your desired contract change proposals to the MEC plus this:
"I request the DAL MEC pursue a 20% reduction in allowable regional carrier airframes that are capable of, or currently contain, 70 or more seats to be completed within no later than two years from the date of signing of our next contract."
This reasonable request is well within the capability of the company to comply with, but outside of the capability of the MEC to obtain due to the potential of lawsuits from the regional carriers that will be harmed by this type of maneuver. DPA is aware that regaining flying under DPA leadership will be a process of many steps just like it was removed from us in many steps. ALPA impotency to even take the first step towards recovering lost flying WILL BE REVEALED. Just copy and paste this comment into the survey and watch what happens.
2. Submit resolutions to the same at all Council meetings between now and the member ratification of the new contract.
3. Go get one more Authorization Card (3,300 DPA Members x 2 = 6,600 which produces a vote) and do away with this nonsense permanently.
Here is the true bottom line: The DAL MEC Negotiating Committee IS REQUIRED pack up and head to National and sit down with all the Negotiating Committees of the regional carriers that serve DAL, PRIOR TO beginning talks with management. They are REQUIRED to "work with each other to develop a consensus on proposals". Regardless of what occurs during or after that meeting, the simple fact that other carriers are involved in our contract proposals is most revolting. DPA will have "ZERO, NADA, ZILCH, ZIPPO" requirement to meet with other carriers and review our contract proposals. We will be free to do whatever benefits Delta Pilots the most.
Read the facts and think about the implications!