This is the second of what will be many electronic communications in an effort to unite all Delta Pilots against the current TA.
First, let’s be clear on our main goal: the overwhelming defeat of this TA. Some Delta Pilots have stated a desire to recall current LEC Representatives. While it is true that any among us can start a recall movement, it is imperative that for the time being we focus all of our efforts on defeating this TA.
Before we discuss a few things that every DAL Pilot can do to contribute the defeat of the TA let us take a look at our MEC Chairman’s recent Chairman’s Letter for Monday June 15, and one Delta Pilot’s take on it. We will not repost the whole letter but will just cut and paste a recent post (with permission from the poster) from the “Chit Chat” forums.
Referencing Chairman Donatelli’s letter the poster states:
Did he just say:
“We just signed a tentative agreement with Delta Air Lines that is the richest in pilot history, unmatched anywhere in the country or the world, and which gives the Delta pilots substantial raises in pay over the next three years. This is a fact.”
Followed by:
“Here is what I pledge: No sell job. We will print the facts.”
In the same letter?????
Besides the obvious conflict, since when did "substantial" become a verifiable fact? A fact would have been "...which gives the Delta Pilots an average raise of 4.75% a year" 8/.25/3/3 over 3 years averages 4.75. That is a fact. Substantial is subjective, in other words a sales job. He couldn't even finish a single letter promising not to sell.....................without selling.”
Now here are a few things that we can all do to help defeat this TA.
- Join the "Delta Pilots Against Contract 2015 TA" Facebook page. Social media is changing how many of us communicate - even the association is trying to use it. In the past, most communication was top down and grassroots movements such as ours were at a serious disadvantage. Social media has turned that convention around and we now have serious tools to make things happen. Let’s use these tools to our advantage and help spread the word about the shortfalls of this TA.
- Visit popular pilot forums like Airline Pilot Central (www.airlinepilotforums.com) and the Delta Pilots Hangar (www.thehangar.forumchitchat.com) and contribute your opinions and thoughts on this TA. Please remain respectful of other posters and remember we all have opinions on the issues - we may not agree but we ARE all Delta pilots.
- Attend one of the upcoming roadshows. The more prepared we are prior to going, the better we will do. Understanding the TA language, familiarity with our contract history, and prepared questions to ask the speakers will be our tools to help defeat this TA. Keep in mind all of the DALPA speakers have practiced responding to questions and are armed with talking points. We cannot let them distort our questions and reply with canned and/or unrelated answers - we must keep them on-point to ensure they fully answer our questions.
- In a movement like this, volunteers in other bases can make a seriously difference. Defeating this TA is our primary goal - it’s all hands on deck, so please reach out if you think you would like to to start a similar campaign in your base.
Remember that EIGHT Delta Pilots on the MEC with all of the inside knowledge and information rejected this TA. Do not let the P2P and DALPA spokesmen convince you that they are privy to insider information that “great things will follow this TA.” We know what this TA says, we know what it will do to our profession, and we know that it falls short. In fact, have a look at the enclosed document. It is a letter from the Council 108 (CVG) Vice Chairman to his constituents, indicting his perspective and reasons for voting no on the TA when it was brought before the MEC. We should share this with everyone we see - it is a great perspective from an elected representative.
Thank you all for your time, your engagement, and your support. Expect to see another letter soon, addressing the “fear factor” that the association is using to attempt to scare voters into voting for the TA.
CORRECTION: In a previous email, it was stated that the TA changes the “sick year” from June 1 - May 31 to a rolling 365-day window. This is not correct - the TA does not change the “sick year”. However, the TA will establish a 365-day rolling window to look at sick leave usage as a trigger for the requirement of a Verification Certificate from a Qualified Health Care Professional (QHCP).
If you are interested in joining this movement here is the contact information:
Steve Goode
LAX 73N B
[email protected]