Airline Pilot Central Forums - DALPA Negotiation Update

November 14, 2022
C2019 Negotiations: Update on Progress
22-06

We wanted to provide an update from our recent negotiating sessions, which have taken place since the last Negotiators’ Notepad two weeks ago, and the closing of our Strike Authorization ballot. But first, a word of thanks for your continued support and unity of purpose. The recent results of our strike vote, bolstered by failed negotiations at both United and American, and your continued showing of unity on the line, have made it crystal clear that a sub-par agreement will not be acceptable. Your ongoing solidarity is essential in our efforts to bring home an industry-leading agreement.

Progress at the Table

In a highly uncharacteristic week of making meaningful progress at the table, the Negotiating Committee (NC) and the Company reached an Agreement in Principle (AIP) on Section 7 – Vacations and made significant progress on numerous secondary items in Section 3 – Compensation. While it is unclear exactly what the catalyst was for management’s movement toward our asks this past week, it was decisively the most productive week of negotiations since opening C2019 talks over three-and-a-half years ago.

Vacation AIP

The negotiations in this section were hard-fought and yielded much-needed improvement to one of the most severely lacking sections of the Delta PWA. This section was settled after over three years of negotiations, having first been put on the negotiating table in June of 2019. This AIP will place the total value of our vacation substantially ahead of United, American, Alaska, JetBlue, Southwest, and Hawaiian. As a result of this negotiation, C2019 will restore our vacation to the highest total value of all passenger carriers.
Additionally, the rate at which Delta pilots accrue additional weeks of vacation accelerates, and the distribution of vacation weeks throughout the year will improve - with particular emphasis on increased vacation weeks being made available for bid in summer months.

Remaining Items
In total, we have reached AIPs in all but five sections of the PWA:
Section 3 – Compensation
2 items remain – Pay Rates and Retroactive Pay
Section 8 – Deadhead
2 items remain – Deadhead Seat Selection and Positive
Space Commuting
Section 12 – Hours of Service
1 item remains – Rotation Construction
Section 23 – Scheduling
3 items remain – Management asks related to forced
productivity
Section 26 – Retirement & Disability
2 items remain – DC Contribution and Minimum Balance

Next Steps: Is this the Endgame?

It is entirely possible that a full AIP may be reached at an upcoming session. But this will require management to continue to show the motivation that resulted in progress this past week. The tremendous sacrifices that Delta pilots have made over the past three years, and the unprecedented revenue premium our relentless leadership on the line has provided to Delta’s bottom line must be acknowledged and rewarded by a contract that also dominates our industry peers.

Let us be completely clear – despite social media concern otherwise -- there is no “rush to a deal” posture being suddenly adopted. The expectations of Delta pilots, as indicated by ongoing polling and direct feedback, are rightly increasing with every month that passes beyond our amendable date. Every “thanks for all you do” memo, every CPI report, every TA at a regional airline, and every TV interview by Delta’s executive leadership delivering endless good news about the health of our airline serve as a reminder that our priorities and expectations are justified.

For Delta pilots, this has been the most comprehensive contract negotiation in decades, and its conclusion will only be possible after all four of our contract’s pillars have been addressed with definitively industry-leading provisions. The list of outstanding issues has been narrowed greatly, and now is not the time to take our collective eyes off the ball. We have held the line on the achievement of a contract without any concessions. The ball is now in management’s court, and negotiations will only have a successful conclusion if they offer substantial value to the remaining open sections of the contract. Please continue to show management visible signs of your support by wearing the green lanyard, and letting your hat ride on your bag until we have a contract.

Now is the time that we need your engagement and unity the most!

Global Scope

We are just as frustrated as you are that this has not yet closed out, especially considering the AIP on this was announced six months ago. However, progress was
made this past week on the only outstanding issue, which is related to Delta’s return to normal from COVID-era levels of flying and the transition to 1:1 growth. Despite any rumors to the contrary, Global Scope will offer unprecedented protections for Delta pilots that do not exist today while ensuring Delta matches the growth of its foreign partners. This agreement continues to be a stand-alone one, and the Delta pilots will ultimately decide via membership ratification if it merits permanent inclusion in our PWA.

In Closing

As we get closer to a comprehensive TA, the likelihood that you will hear false rumors of a deal will only increase. One thing is certain, individuals who “leak” inaccurate or out-of-context information have many different agendas. The resultant “negotiating in public” via trial balloons can damage our ability to maximize leverage at the table. We ask that you trust this process and your union’s commitment to bringing you nothing less than the C2019 you’ve earned. Only trust information from official sources: the NC, the MEC and your LEC Representatives.

Thank you for your continued engagement and support. Your unity and resolve are needed now more than ever to help push this contract over the finish line.

In Unity,
Eric, *******, and Rich