I am definitely a suporter for the FA's, but this is true. Please please make sure you have the right representing body for yourselves. Although I consider myself a STRONG union supporter I would be leery of an organization that tries to pit the work force against management. I am NOT saying that this is what unions do, I know of several work groups that report an excellent relationship with management and this should be the goal of all unions. Don't repeat another NW AMFA scene and let them convince you that management is evil. I believe that there is inherent respect that is due to all management, after all for the most part those people have the ability to fulfill those responsibilities. Now with that said, I believe you should get what is fair for quality of life, and to protect the labor force from outsourcing because of people like RA at Delta who get $13.2 million in compensation. Specifically I'm referring to the CBA that AMFA brought and allowed MW mtc to be outsourced and how MGT had a big party when that happened and went right to work on the outsourcing. I wonder how happy upper management would be if their jobs got outsourced to managers in India. If you run into those "pull up a ladder" types don't forget that all it takes is to knock out ONE of the four points and they all come tumbling down. Keep up your good work.

DAL F/A's are some of the most senior in the industry...come on, when is the last time you flew DL?:p

Yes, DL F/A's will be getting 3% pay increases...

Some of you might also be wondering why Delta has some of the most senior flight attendants. The answer? Its because they can't afford to retire....here is a prime example, the link provided is to a report issued by the Delta Air Lines Retirement Committee...

The evolution of Non-contract Delta Air Lines retiree benefits
http://www.dalrc.info/dalrcpdefs/evo...tudy_41608.pdf

Enjoy

You are probably correct -- many of them probably can't afford to retire. However, was that their doing or their reliance that the company was going to cover them as they got older? Not throwing stones. Anyone who doesn't save money for the future is making a huge mistake. And don't tell me you can't afford to save. It is that you CHOOSE not to afford it.

The DAL FAs aren't alone. Defined benefit plans are history at most companies. Look at the current Big3 auto industry fiasco. Their defined plans are killing them. What was once promised is now unattainable.

After some of these realizations, I still don't see what a union is going to bring to the table for the DAL FAs that really isn't already there.

-Fatty

For those people that have just retired, they are required to cover 100% of the cost of health insurance...a whopping $539.74 per month, NW retirees pay under $200 per month.

Black and white work rules that aren't FAA minimums, don't change once a week(they really do), and that management actually has to follow!

Restoration of at least a portion of pay lost in the past 6 years, current DL wages are about 15-20% lower than AA and CO, and about 20-25% lower than AS and WN wages.

Scope protection that will make it harder for the company to outsource jobs.

Does this answer your question?

Based on the links your already provided, your wages aren't 15-25% lower than other major airlines. The DAL FAs just received a pay increase with the merger, so, the DAL FA rates aren't that far off from the others when you consider DAL just exited bankruptcy.

The bigger question you should ask yourself is, why are the NWA FAs who have union represtation, not that much better off, if any, than their DAL sisters?

My prediction ....

Based on the not-so-friendly actions already taken by the NWA FA union regarding DAL management, DAL FAs will unionize, the friendly culture at DAL dies, the union won't police itself and will allow substandard performance from the FAs all the while saying that they deserve more, and we see a FA strike within 10 years.

-Fatty

Lets look at it for a second, i'll break it down and you can decide. There are many F/A's at DL that fly 120-140 hours a month, lets make an example at 100 hours.

Betty has 15 years, flies 100 hours a month on domestic flights.

American(APFA) = (70hrs @ $46.00) + (30hrs @ $52.90) = 3496 + 1587 = $5083
Alaska(AFA) = (100hrs @ $50.42) = $5042
Continental(IAM) = (75hrs @ $48.15) + (25hrs @ $53.15) = 3611 + 1329 = $4940
Southwest(TWU) = (80hrs @ $57.57) + (20hrs @ $63.27) = 4605 + 1265 = $5870

Delta = (100hrs @ $42.30) = $4230


There you have it...

I hope you are right on...
But not on the rest.

Just found this....

17 OCTOBER 2008


Today the NWA Air Line Pilots Association Master Executive Council unaminously adopted a resolution of support for the Association of Flight Attendants and for our organizing efforts at Delta Air Lines. We thank them for their historic move and their spirit of solidarity, and we look forward to continuing the long tradition of mutual respect and professional cooperation between our two unions.

Please join us in thanking our ALPA brothers and sisters for their support, as we stand shoulder to shoulder to preserve the benefits of unionization, at what will be the world's largest airline.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Resolution of Support for the Association of Flight Attendants


WHEREAS the Northwest pilots have a progressive, hard won tradition that is demonstrated by our longstanding support of unionized airline employees, and

WHEREAS the strong professional relationship between the pilots of Northwest ALPA and the flight attendants of Northwest AFA is based on mutual respect and history of cooperation, and

WHEREAS Northwest AFA and Northwest ALPA have many common issues and needs when working as on duty flight crew and contract representatives,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NWA ALPA MEC fully supports our fellow unionized flying partners in the cabin, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we will encourage ALPA International to join us in supporting the organizing effort of the DAL flight attendants, so that the benefits of unionization including safety, security and professionalism for AFA, ALPA and other unions within the new airline, will continue to contribute to the success of the merged carrier.



Any chance for support from DALPA?

Just curious, how did a job that was intended for the hot 20-somethings that didn't know what they wanted to do in life become a career with expected benefits?

I honestly don't mean any disrespect to FAs ... just curious how that happened?

I'd like to see an internship program setup where 20-somethings work for 6-8 years while attending part-time college (paid for by the company). Then, once graduated, the company could hire from within the best candidates. If they weren't hired, they would move on and use their degree in another field.

Let me dream ...

YouTube - Southwest Airlines Hostesses Hotpants Ad 1972

YouTube - Southwest Airlines commercial circa 1972

HIRE THIS WOMEN !!! YouTube - The Foxy Flight Attendant Bikini Rap

YouTube - March of the Flight Attendants - Xiamen, China

-Fatty