Merger of ASA and Comair Pilot Groups
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Delta Air Lines, Inc., purchased ASA in April 1999 and Comair in January 2000. Shortly thereafter, Delta Connection, Inc., was formed, and ASA and Comair became the only wholly-owned subsidiaries of that corporate substructure.
The MEC chairmen of the two carriers, Captains Bob Arnold and J.C. Lawson, formally discussed issues of common concern in February 2000. Both MECs have recognized and acknowledged for many years the similarities between the two carriers.
In January 2000, the two MECs met and discussed the concept of consolidating the ASA and Comair seniority lists. In July 2000, ASA and Comair formally filed a petition under Section 45 of ALPA’s Administrative Manual requesting a Policy Implementation Date (PID). The respective MECs have worked diligently, within the ALPA administrative structure, for the protection of all ALPA pilots in an effort to prevent the whipsaw of the three airlines under the Delta corporate structure.
In September and October of 2000, the ASA and Comair MECs presented ALPA’s Executive Board and the Board of Directors with resolutions that resulted in the birth of the Bilateral Scope Impact Committee (BSIC), an ALPA National committee. The BSIC charter is to investigate and identify policies and procedures within ALPA, including but not limited to scope issues, which may require review, consideration, and possible overhaul. Since its inception, the BSIC has included a member from the wholly-owned subsidiaries. Joint Standing Committees rose from the BSIC and this subcommittee structure provides a platform for ASA, Comair, and Delta to discuss difficult and pertinent issues of mutual concern to the Delta family.
In March 2001, Comair was forced to resort to self-help as outlined in the Railway Labor Act, striking their airline for 89 days. Both ASA and Delta pilots walked picket lines at the ATL, CVG, MCO, and DFW airports to support the Comair pilots’ efforts. Moreover, ASA pilots voted to support Comair by sympathy strike, should circumstances require. At the May 2001 Executive Board, the ASA MEC chairman introduced a resolution in support of the striking Comair pilots, which passed by acclamation.
Fierce loyalty and genuine trade unionism have forged the bonds of unity between the ASA and Comair pilot groups. Acting as one for years, it is now time to integrate ASA and Comair into one pilot group.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS the ASA and Comair MECs proactively initiated the exchange of substantive and meaningful dialogue beginning in 1999, and
WHEREAS both ASA and Comair are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Delta Air Lines, Inc., since 2000, and
WHEREAS the formation of Delta Connection, Inc. (DCI), should be an industry-leading, effective, and efficient business model, and
WHEREAS ASA and Comair, within the DCI business model, are profitable and competitive, and
WHEREAS the mission of DCI has morphed into a means of whipsawing those airlines within the DCI “portfolio” to increase Delta’s profits by reducing employees pay and benefits, and
WHEREAS there is little doubt that, in this economically challenging world, substantial cost savings are available from the consolidation of ASA and Comair,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ASA and Comair MECs are dedicated to the belief that their two MECs should be one; that their two pilot groups should be one; that their two seniority lists should be one; that their two contracts should be one; and that the two companies should be one.
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ASA and Comair MECs shall jointly pursue this objective, with all due haste, to the maximum extent possible, until we are one, and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ALPA dedicates its full resources to ensure that this objective be achieved.
Comair ASA
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Hello, this is a special ASA MEC update for December 8, 2003 with one item to report.
This morning, representatives from the ASA CNC met with management in ATL during a scheduled negotiating session and presented the ASA MEC's response to our management's proposal concerning Delta Connection's RFP. In very broad terms, we proposed a merger of the ASA and Comair pilot groups. At the same time, pilot representatives from Comair met with their management in CVG to deliver the same offer. The ASA CNC and management agreed to adjourn for the day while they take time to consider our response and to reconvene in the morning on Tuesday. In the meantime, we encourage you to read the letter and resolution put forth by the ASA and Comair MEC's. The letter was emailed to every pilot with an accurate email address on file with ALPA, and the letter and resolution went out today to every pilots listed mailing address. Additionally, you can access these documents on the ASA MEC website. More information will be forthcoming as this develops.
That's all for this edition of the ASA Update. Please call this announcement system routinely for the details of these and other issues that effect you, your family, and our pilot group.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Delta Air Lines, Inc., purchased ASA in April 1999 and Comair in January 2000. Shortly thereafter, Delta Connection, Inc., was formed, and ASA and Comair became the only wholly-owned subsidiaries of that corporate substructure.
The MEC chairmen of the two carriers, Captains Bob Arnold and J.C. Lawson, formally discussed issues of common concern in February 2000. Both MECs have recognized and acknowledged for many years the similarities between the two carriers.
In January 2000, the two MECs met and discussed the concept of consolidating the ASA and Comair seniority lists. In July 2000, ASA and Comair formally filed a petition under Section 45 of ALPA’s Administrative Manual requesting a Policy Implementation Date (PID). The respective MECs have worked diligently, within the ALPA administrative structure, for the protection of all ALPA pilots in an effort to prevent the whipsaw of the three airlines under the Delta corporate structure.
In September and October of 2000, the ASA and Comair MECs presented ALPA’s Executive Board and the Board of Directors with resolutions that resulted in the birth of the Bilateral Scope Impact Committee (BSIC), an ALPA National committee. The BSIC charter is to investigate and identify policies and procedures within ALPA, including but not limited to scope issues, which may require review, consideration, and possible overhaul. Since its inception, the BSIC has included a member from the wholly-owned subsidiaries. Joint Standing Committees rose from the BSIC and this subcommittee structure provides a platform for ASA, Comair, and Delta to discuss difficult and pertinent issues of mutual concern to the Delta family.
In March 2001, Comair was forced to resort to self-help as outlined in the Railway Labor Act, striking their airline for 89 days. Both ASA and Delta pilots walked picket lines at the ATL, CVG, MCO, and DFW airports to support the Comair pilots’ efforts. Moreover, ASA pilots voted to support Comair by sympathy strike, should circumstances require. At the May 2001 Executive Board, the ASA MEC chairman introduced a resolution in support of the striking Comair pilots, which passed by acclamation.
Fierce loyalty and genuine trade unionism have forged the bonds of unity between the ASA and Comair pilot groups. Acting as one for years, it is now time to integrate ASA and Comair into one pilot group.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS the ASA and Comair MECs proactively initiated the exchange of substantive and meaningful dialogue beginning in 1999, and
WHEREAS both ASA and Comair are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Delta Air Lines, Inc., since 2000, and
WHEREAS the formation of Delta Connection, Inc. (DCI), should be an industry-leading, effective, and efficient business model, and
WHEREAS ASA and Comair, within the DCI business model, are profitable and competitive, and
WHEREAS the mission of DCI has morphed into a means of whipsawing those airlines within the DCI “portfolio” to increase Delta’s profits by reducing employees pay and benefits, and
WHEREAS there is little doubt that, in this economically challenging world, substantial cost savings are available from the consolidation of ASA and Comair,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the ASA and Comair MECs are dedicated to the belief that their two MECs should be one; that their two pilot groups should be one; that their two seniority lists should be one; that their two contracts should be one; and that the two companies should be one.
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ASA and Comair MECs shall jointly pursue this objective, with all due haste, to the maximum extent possible, until we are one, and
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ALPA dedicates its full resources to ensure that this objective be achieved.
Comair ASA
--------------------------------------------------
Hello, this is a special ASA MEC update for December 8, 2003 with one item to report.
This morning, representatives from the ASA CNC met with management in ATL during a scheduled negotiating session and presented the ASA MEC's response to our management's proposal concerning Delta Connection's RFP. In very broad terms, we proposed a merger of the ASA and Comair pilot groups. At the same time, pilot representatives from Comair met with their management in CVG to deliver the same offer. The ASA CNC and management agreed to adjourn for the day while they take time to consider our response and to reconvene in the morning on Tuesday. In the meantime, we encourage you to read the letter and resolution put forth by the ASA and Comair MEC's. The letter was emailed to every pilot with an accurate email address on file with ALPA, and the letter and resolution went out today to every pilots listed mailing address. Additionally, you can access these documents on the ASA MEC website. More information will be forthcoming as this develops.
That's all for this edition of the ASA Update. Please call this announcement system routinely for the details of these and other issues that effect you, your family, and our pilot group.
