DAL 88 Driver

GMAB. I haven't used SWA pilots as "the gold standard." Their compensation is simply one of several things that help make a good case for significant restoration of our compensation. And DALPA refuses to use this to our advantage or to even acknowledge that it exists. It's ridiculous that I've had to spend so much time arguing about how much SWA pilots make, because it is well documented and not open to interpretation (despite DALPA's attempts to manipulate the comparative data and make us look better than we really are).

So... they cut our pay by 42%, take away a significant portion of our retirement benefit, and outsource thousands of jobs so that our advancement is stagnated. This is all done because of an extreme financial crisis for the company. Then, when the crisis is over and the company is doing extremely well, they leave the bulk of the cuts in and expect us to just suck it up and accept it as the new deal. As things stand today, that represents probably a 30 to 40% reduction in the value of our careers. What kind of rationalization does a person have to go through to come around to seeing that as treating us well?

Dorfman

I may have inferred more then was there. Please explain to me why we can't discuss it here?

DAL 88 Driver

I can't explain that to you without getting into a topic that should not be discussed in this venue. Sorry.

Carl Spackler

How insulting. I've been extremely specific about this, while you've been extremely dismissive and insulting about my specificity. I expect the exact same from you going forward. Nonetheless, for the umpteenth time:

Our leverage was, is, and always we be a strike. Any other form of perceived leverage is mere perception from the inexperienced. Thus, the question of an airline labor union using any real leverage is managing the NMB. Now you and many other rocking chair graduates have been told that the NMB is an insurmountable barrier by ALPA, so that's your mindset going in. It's actually false. Spirit is an example of how to get released for self-help, American is an example of how not to. Now as to the specifics of how to use the leverage we had or C2012:

First, set our contract opener to lead (by a lot) in every section. Not just pay, but every section.

Second, allow a sufficient time to pass for all parties to see an impasse is at hand.

Third, handle NMB involved mediation as follows: Clearly show how SWA, UPS, FDX, and our foreign JV competitors lead the industry in many metrics. Further show that Delta is enormously successful financially, operationally, and has exceedingly bright prospects (as stated by Delta management). Further, show that we will accept leading the airline industry in every section (even if only by a small margin). Finally, show that Delta would still be wildly successful and profitable if given what we are demanding in our final position.

If management still refused, the NMB would absolutely release us for self-help. Why? Because we would have done things the right way per the NMB. As stated earlier, now is where our real and only leverage comes in...and it is in the 30 day cooling off period where most things get done. In the interim, Delta management would be suffering on many fronts. Suffering on their reputation with Wall Street and all stakeholders.

That's what was available to us. Instead, we chose to never get close to using any leverage whatsoever.

Carl

Carl Spackler

First off (as has been stated many times), nobody advocates "just say no." You know better, yet you parrot those DALPA talking points anyway. Please post anything from anyone that ever stated a strategy of "Just say no."

Second, the rest of your post here says it all. The most important thing for you is to never reach a stalemate and lose time. Since labor's leverage can never be used without first reaching a stalemate, you are against ever using labor's leverage. Thus, you will take whatever management was already willing to give...exactly like the other non-union employees at Delta.

Everything else you write is just an academic exercise Bar. It may make you feel better about your weakness, but anyone can see through it. Sorry.

Carl

Carl Spackler

See above. You're happy with achieving whatever management was already willing to give...in order to get it quickly.

No leverage was used. The "RJ deal" is exactly what management wanted. No pilot's survey requested 70 additional 76 RJ's. With regard to your opinion of the deal being used for good effect, you have no idea yet. We don't even measure anything for another 2 months.

Carl

Carl Spackler

Yup, nobody does more for their cause than you ace:

Carl

Carl Spackler

You've completely made that up. You have no credible evidence to support that billion dollar claim. None.

Carl

Bucking Bar

Carl,

Going to take a break from arguing with you and try to help raise money to help those in the Philippines. Things like a clean drink of water that we take for granted could save a life over there right now.

Challenge you to find a LOCAL organization and make a donation. Here is a suggestion. Anything helps.

medicalaviation.org/site/Philippines/bios

Be patient, server is probably on an island with a whole lot of destruction between here and there.

Figure that this avoid the overhead of giving to a charity which deducts 80% for their own salaries and overhead then pays people in the field.

Carl Spackler

Three problems here.

1. Presumes I haven't already done so.

2. Shows you to be somebody who needs to publicly flaunt their charitable giving.

3. Shows you might well be unlimited in capacity when needing to change the subject from personal weakness.

Carl