Fly4hire
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2005
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Fellow Council 44 Pilots:
The Inevitables
SLI vs. JCBA
I Expected More
The Northwest Pilots are getting more than ’I’m getting
So what is this all about?
Contact Info
We have been in the lounges over the past couple of weeks explaining the JCBA
and why we unanimously ratified the agreement and recommend it to you for
passage. Prior to the opening of the vote on Monday we wished to clear up
some common misperceptions we have encountered and briefly give you the
reason behind our thinking. We encourage you to read all the material
produced before casting your vote.
The Inevitables
There are two things which are going to happen and we cannot stop. Delta’s
Board, on behalf of the shareholders, has told our management to merge this
company with Northwest Airlines. Under ALPA Merger Policy in the absence of
a mutually agreed upon change in method, we are contractually obligated to
a process which will merge the seniority lists within 150 days of a call by
either pilot group for a PID (policy initiation date) which normally
occurs after Date of Corporate Closure. So no matter what one may think … this
merger is on and the seniority list is going to be integrated!
SLI vs. JCBA
One of the most common themes we’ve heard is the idea that we can tie passage
of a Joint Contract to the Seniority List Integration process. We don’t
believe this kind of leverage is possible even were it desirable. Again,
under ALPA Merger Policy, the Seniority List will be integrated and both
pilot groups know this. The idea that one side will change their bargaining
position in favor of an earlier pay raise does not strike us as likely.
Additionally some of you have stated to us you will not vote for a JCBA
unless and until you have seen the SLI. For a clearly illustrated example of a
possible outcome when SLI occurs before JCBA, one only need look at US
Airways. The US Airways/America West seniority list arbitration award occurred
a year ago. Since that time the US Airways pilots (dominated by Airways
“East” votes) have formed their own union (USAPA) and there is now open
conflict between Airways pilots as one group seeks to pressure the other into
accepting their version of a just award. All the while USAPA’s lawyers
continue to feed at the pilot trough attempting to overturn a legally binding
agreement. During this internecine warfare neither pilot group can expect
any improvements to their contract, their company is furloughing out of
seniority, and US Airways cannot achieve anywhere close to its merger goals.
This is not what we want for Delta and the Delta pilots. I can assure you your
elected representatives will do everything in our power to keep this type
of pilot vs. pilot meltdown from ruining our Company and our pilot group.
We will post this arbitration award on the Council 44 website (Called the
Nicolau award)
I Expected More
We hear from many of you that LOA 19 was a “no brainer” because the JCBA
would follow and could only improve our returns. We did in fact achieve
improvements which, when coupled with LOA 19 amount to an increased total
remuneration exceeding 21 percent over four years. The results of our
negotiations reflected the reality of the airline industry. We considered these
results a hedge against a very uncertain future. Additionally the Seniority
Process Agreement we achieved with the Northwest Pilots protects our group
from the possible vagaries of a single person arbitration, relying instead on
the judgment of three individual arbitrators.
The Northwest Pilots are getting more than ’I’m getting
The Northwest Pilots currently make 7.5-10 percent less than the Delta Pilots
depending on position. From day one it has been our stance that they be
treated like Delta Pilots on day one of Corporate Closure. The notion that
we can get more (at the bargaining table) if they get less is not
substantiated. Even if possible, any gain here at the Northwest pilot’s expense
would undoubtedly foster the kind of hard feelings which dog a career to
everyone’s detriment. This should not be our goal and is not the kind of
leadership you will get from this MEC.
I see no risk in turning down this JCBA
In our opinion, nothing could be further from the truth. As pilots we live
by managing risk and our longevity is proof of our competence. Your
assumption in voting no should be based on your knowledge/belief in an airline
industry turn around, the relative vicinity of that turnaround, and
improvement possible versus the risk of losing the improvements we have gained, and
the SLI Process Agreement. Bear in mind that we must eventually reach a
JCBA with the Northwest Pilots or end up staring across a no man’s land where
both the company and the pilots suffer. Our vision is to restore our lost
wages and a better retirement, but we can only do that together while
working for a profitable Delta. There is significant risk in the industry right
now and it must be acknowledged.
So what is this all about?
We consider this a rare confluence of mutual interests. We are faced with an
industry in turmoil, shrinking its capacity, and panic stricken for cash.
Our airline is trying to break the traditional mold in forming an entity
which spans the globe to enable sustainable profits. For the Company to
unlock valuable network synergies it needs a joint pilot contract and SLI
between the two pilot groups. For the value we provide to the transaction, we
have already captured significant improvements to our contract. This Joint
Contract removes part of the uncertainty in yet another extremely uncertain
time for our industry and also provides a more reliable process to achieve
a fair and equitable SLI. For our part, this is the last piece we will add
to the puzzle, in merging two great pilot groups, with long, proud
histories. We will leave it up to management to put the rest together: to turn
the “New Delta” into a stronger, more profitable airline—and that is in all
our best interests.
We are printing a ROAR soon and there will be more information coming from
the MEC. Please make an informed decision before you vote. We strongly
recommend you ratify this JCBA
Fraternally,
xxxxxxx
xxxxxxx
xxxxxxx
(deleted for privacy)
The Inevitables
SLI vs. JCBA
I Expected More
The Northwest Pilots are getting more than ’I’m getting
So what is this all about?
Contact Info
We have been in the lounges over the past couple of weeks explaining the JCBA
and why we unanimously ratified the agreement and recommend it to you for
passage. Prior to the opening of the vote on Monday we wished to clear up
some common misperceptions we have encountered and briefly give you the
reason behind our thinking. We encourage you to read all the material
produced before casting your vote.
The Inevitables
There are two things which are going to happen and we cannot stop. Delta’s
Board, on behalf of the shareholders, has told our management to merge this
company with Northwest Airlines. Under ALPA Merger Policy in the absence of
a mutually agreed upon change in method, we are contractually obligated to
a process which will merge the seniority lists within 150 days of a call by
either pilot group for a PID (policy initiation date) which normally
occurs after Date of Corporate Closure. So no matter what one may think … this
merger is on and the seniority list is going to be integrated!
SLI vs. JCBA
One of the most common themes we’ve heard is the idea that we can tie passage
of a Joint Contract to the Seniority List Integration process. We don’t
believe this kind of leverage is possible even were it desirable. Again,
under ALPA Merger Policy, the Seniority List will be integrated and both
pilot groups know this. The idea that one side will change their bargaining
position in favor of an earlier pay raise does not strike us as likely.
Additionally some of you have stated to us you will not vote for a JCBA
unless and until you have seen the SLI. For a clearly illustrated example of a
possible outcome when SLI occurs before JCBA, one only need look at US
Airways. The US Airways/America West seniority list arbitration award occurred
a year ago. Since that time the US Airways pilots (dominated by Airways
“East” votes) have formed their own union (USAPA) and there is now open
conflict between Airways pilots as one group seeks to pressure the other into
accepting their version of a just award. All the while USAPA’s lawyers
continue to feed at the pilot trough attempting to overturn a legally binding
agreement. During this internecine warfare neither pilot group can expect
any improvements to their contract, their company is furloughing out of
seniority, and US Airways cannot achieve anywhere close to its merger goals.
This is not what we want for Delta and the Delta pilots. I can assure you your
elected representatives will do everything in our power to keep this type
of pilot vs. pilot meltdown from ruining our Company and our pilot group.
We will post this arbitration award on the Council 44 website (Called the
Nicolau award)
I Expected More
We hear from many of you that LOA 19 was a “no brainer” because the JCBA
would follow and could only improve our returns. We did in fact achieve
improvements which, when coupled with LOA 19 amount to an increased total
remuneration exceeding 21 percent over four years. The results of our
negotiations reflected the reality of the airline industry. We considered these
results a hedge against a very uncertain future. Additionally the Seniority
Process Agreement we achieved with the Northwest Pilots protects our group
from the possible vagaries of a single person arbitration, relying instead on
the judgment of three individual arbitrators.
The Northwest Pilots are getting more than ’I’m getting
The Northwest Pilots currently make 7.5-10 percent less than the Delta Pilots
depending on position. From day one it has been our stance that they be
treated like Delta Pilots on day one of Corporate Closure. The notion that
we can get more (at the bargaining table) if they get less is not
substantiated. Even if possible, any gain here at the Northwest pilot’s expense
would undoubtedly foster the kind of hard feelings which dog a career to
everyone’s detriment. This should not be our goal and is not the kind of
leadership you will get from this MEC.
I see no risk in turning down this JCBA
In our opinion, nothing could be further from the truth. As pilots we live
by managing risk and our longevity is proof of our competence. Your
assumption in voting no should be based on your knowledge/belief in an airline
industry turn around, the relative vicinity of that turnaround, and
improvement possible versus the risk of losing the improvements we have gained, and
the SLI Process Agreement. Bear in mind that we must eventually reach a
JCBA with the Northwest Pilots or end up staring across a no man’s land where
both the company and the pilots suffer. Our vision is to restore our lost
wages and a better retirement, but we can only do that together while
working for a profitable Delta. There is significant risk in the industry right
now and it must be acknowledged.
So what is this all about?
We consider this a rare confluence of mutual interests. We are faced with an
industry in turmoil, shrinking its capacity, and panic stricken for cash.
Our airline is trying to break the traditional mold in forming an entity
which spans the globe to enable sustainable profits. For the Company to
unlock valuable network synergies it needs a joint pilot contract and SLI
between the two pilot groups. For the value we provide to the transaction, we
have already captured significant improvements to our contract. This Joint
Contract removes part of the uncertainty in yet another extremely uncertain
time for our industry and also provides a more reliable process to achieve
a fair and equitable SLI. For our part, this is the last piece we will add
to the puzzle, in merging two great pilot groups, with long, proud
histories. We will leave it up to management to put the rest together: to turn
the “New Delta” into a stronger, more profitable airline—and that is in all
our best interests.
We are printing a ROAR soon and there will be more information coming from
the MEC. Please make an informed decision before you vote. We strongly
recommend you ratify this JCBA
Fraternally,
xxxxxxx
xxxxxxx
xxxxxxx
(deleted for privacy)
