A UNION SAVED MY JOB

As I recall, in February of 1987 on the SLC tarmac the weather was even colder than the normal winter season. Fortunately I had the luxury of working in the Western Air Lines Commissary and had a heated truck to work out of. Life was good. We were hard working, busy employees and we knew that we gave value every day to our airline and our customers.

The pace of our work was frenetic and no time could be wasted. We hustled from plane to plane and galley to galley restocking the continuously depleted supplies in a fashion that appeared to be well choreographed. Every second counted and time was always an enemy. We hurried, sometimes way too much. We couldn’t help ourselves; our dedication to the task was paramount and sometimes safe practices took a back seat in those days.

We were young and thought of ourselves as ‘bullet-proof.’ On one such day our two man truck was dispatched to the rear door next to the left engine to resupply the coach section; unfortunately we were sent to the wrong plane and it was departing, not arriving. The plane was about to push and in those days there were no wing walkers and panic set in. The plane would have pushed into our truck so we hurriedly backed out and clipped the flaps causing major damage.

It was all caught on tape and Western Air Lines was not happy. I was the driver and I moved the vehicle without a guide, given the situation, I felt that I had no choice.

They decided to fire me and they brought in the big guns to get it done.

The union stepped in, went to work and represented me with vigor and professionalism; they left no stone unturned and treated me like a man on death row. Their skill level was remarkable and I was both stunned and amazed at their preparation and verbal dexterity. They both surprised me and made me proud to be part of such a proficient organization.

They saved my job. No doubt about it. Did I deserve to be canned? Given the facts and mitigating circumstances; firing me would have been unjust.

What do you think would have happened to me had the merger already taken place and the union was no more? I have seen Delta in action and you never know whether or not the evidence is sufficient for termination. It generally depends on what mood they are in as to whether or not one gets fired. Sometimes it takes no evidence at all and other times the mostly guilty walk. It matters who you are and who you know.

I have sat in on hearings with and without representation and believe me, having a mouth piece with skills is much more preferable.

Why would anyone not want that kind of ‘on the job’ insurance? Do you know what the ironic part of all this is? The union official who saved me later became a Delta Manager and then moved on to one of those contractual firms in SEA.

He was let go because of damage done by his workers who had no representation!

INDUSTRY STANDARD or INDUSTRY LEADING?
OUR CHOICE IS COMING

The Delta Corporate Leadership team is fond of talking about their commitment to setting our wages at "industry standard" by 2010. "Industry Standard" is an interesting term. It implies solidness, fairness, and something you can depend on, like the "Gold Standard".

The Gold Standard is also the term that one might use to describe the "industry leading" bonuses, stock options and wages Richard Anderson, Ed Bastian and others have given themselves during the 3 years since emerging from bankruptcy. Despite tenuous economic times and then a head long downward dive they immediately took care of their own financial needs. The money was found.

We hope the money will be found to compensate us for having built the world's largest airline. We know that crisis lies ahead. It always does in the airline industry. We know that the past was riddled with crises: 9/11, SARS, the Gulf War, oil prices, swine flu, fare wars. Through all of this, Delta and Northwest employees have provided excellent passenger service. Even the admitted mistreatment of employees and "mistakes" by Delta and Northwest executives has not impacted what we deliver day in day out. Of course these "mistakes" had a great impact on our standard of living.

Our fear is that the upcoming stream of crises will be used to set the industry standard lower. The biggest airline in the world will be able to set standards on many different levels, much like WalMart does. Our fear is that the industry standard will include an ever higher percentage of Ready Reserve, part time work and a brutal revolving door. We are not interested in having the flexibility of 3 part time jobs. Having a "career job" is something that Richard Anderson is very interested in having, but is he interested in his employees having the same?

We know that the best way to get to industry standard and industry leading is by sticking together, by being well organized to defend our economic interests. Just ask the 5,000 IAM represented workers at Southwest Airlines who will top out at $26.61/hour with excellent benefits. Now that's a career job. That's industry leading and its guaranteed in writing.

A TEN DOLLAR AN HOUR CHOICE

DECISION TIME IS RAPIDLY APPROACHING
COLLEGE FOR THE KIDS OR FOOD STAMPS FOR ALL

This long and seemingly endless union campaign has brought many of us to make a determination that life without struggle or challenge has little meaning or usefulness. We all want to make a difference in what we do and accomplish in our day to day lives; everyone seeks affirmation in each move we take and every task we involve ourselves in.

This union campaign is drawing near to a conclusion. We are approaching the kind of numbers that are required to win. We do not rejoice in obtaining our goals but merely breathe a bit easier knowing that our fellow workers are listening and responding to our admonitions and warnings.

Our management team is reacting as we expected; they are sounding the warning signs of the economy and preparing all for layoffs in the fall. We are not surprised and have consistently maintained a stream of honest assessments about where we stand. People are going to lose their jobs this year; more, we think, if we don’t unionize.

Recently the announcement was made that the world’s airlines would lose 9 billion dollars this year, up from an original estimate of just over 4.7 billion. This is the kind of news that our rich, over-compensated leaders will use to dampen any hope or aspirations for fair and just compensation for us going forward.

Our management team which will in all likelihood not last much longer, will direct us to take no action because of the economy and will warn about ramping up expectations for better pay and benefits; they will say that there is no money. They will appeal to our fears and worries and warn against greed; the same greed that they wallow in and in which they lavish their families with excesses. They have no shame!

The choice is easy; it is a ten dollar and hour choice. If you believe the apologists and company hucksters, then we must accept what is offered and given. We must not unionize and have our wages negotiated. They have no internal compass or understanding of what causes success and sustained growth. We will either make 20 plus dollars and hour next year or be heading for 10 dollars and hour in our very near future.

The choice is up to us; all of us! We get to decide and we have to make that decision very soon. Which outcome would you like in your future? Listen to the propagandists that warn against taking care of our families or embrace the IAM’s doctrine of no one left behind.

It’s time to decide and we must not fear those who use the economy as a crutch for being weak. Idiots destroyed our current American economic system. Don’t be an idiot!

Vote Union!

RIDING ON HALE-BOPP’S TAIL

A SUCKER BORN EVERY MINUTE IS A GROSS UNDER ESTIMATION!
MOST PEOPLE NEVER SEE OR SUSPECT OTHERS’ DISHONESTY

Over a decade ago a new comet was discovered and named Hale-Bopp after the individuals who first brought it to the world’s attention. Phenomenons from space usually garner world wide interest and all types take notice.

One group who called themselves Heaven’s Gate saw the comet’s coming as a sign that the earth was about to be ‘recycled’ or destroyed and took action. In 1997 when the comet drew close with a unique tail made up of dust, gases and sodium, the cult dressed up in jump suits, black and white Nikes and prepared to hitch a ride on the comet’s tail away from earth.

Apparently this required them to commit suicide by drinking a Phenobarbital vodka drink and somehow beam themselves up to meet the comet. I wonder how that all worked out for them?

Anyway, we are a world that believes in all kinds of different stuff.

Yes, there are crazies out there but there are also very persuasive individuals who can talk anyone into anything. Bernie Madoff talked some of the most sophisticated, rich and financially astute people out of 50 billion dollars and never invested a dime of it. Not even the SEC seemed aware of his charade. How can that happen?

People want to believe the apparent good works of others and everyone likes a successful investor with fantastic returns. We all are a little greedy and this causes us to look beyond our own common sense.

Every day another scheme is uncovered and we all marvel at the stupidity of our fellow human beings, thinking that no one could pull the wool over our eyes. You want to bet?!

It has been happening to Delta employees for years and no one seems to mind or even raise a voice. We act like sheep every time another new CEO graces us with his presence and takes us for a financial screwing. We roll over and act as if we are powerless and the actions are inevitable.

Richard Anderson is only the latest ‘come and go’ executive to visit us with promises and talk about how wonderful we are. Millions upon millions of dollars of our pay cuts and benefit reductions have gone directly in to his pockets. We say nothing and wait for our ‘industry standard pay,’ while his cronies fatten their own wallets with bonuses and retention pay incentives.

You know, we kind of deserve what is happening to us because of our lack of action and organization; we wait for justice instead of demanding fairness and even handedness. We lack spine.

We have choices; we can wait and hope that we are ultimately taken to a place atop the industry in our benefit and pay package, which is as likely to happen as a comet returning and hitching us a ride to happier life, or we can take matters into our own hands by having the IAM do the negotiating for us. The choice is easy for me and hopefully should be for all of us. Hoping, waiting and wishing for good and happy endings is not a strategy, not one that pays, anyway.

Let’s don’t be one of those ‘suckers’ born every minute. It is time for action. It’s time for the IAM.

RED TALES SPECIAL EDITION

June 5, 2009

RECENT FLYERS DISTRIBUTED BY NORTHWEST AND DELTA MANAGEMENT HAVE ATTACKED THE CREDIBILITY OF THE IAM AND REDTALES NEWSLETTER

READ THE FACTS

FACT 1 – The May 20, 2009 issue of Red Tales reported that 22 TPA baggage handlers were getting laid off and that employees in FLL were getting laid off.

FACT 2 – We reported this based on eyewitness accounts of both Delta and Northwest baggage handlers in TPA. Delta Manager, Gene Angel in TPA gave briefings in break rooms as early as May 8 outlining a reduction in force and Delta’s plans to achieve this reduction. Junior employees were given a choice between permanent positions in 4 stations, temporary positions in some other stations or being laid off to the street in TPA.

FACT 3 - We checked this with multiple sources on several different occasions, as we do with every fact in Red Tales, precisely because we know that Delta will attack our credibility if we misstep.

FACT 4 – On May 21 Northwest management in MSP disputed our facts, so we checked again. Our sources in TPA reported that Delta management had changed their tune and were now saying that no one would be forced to the street. We absolutely stand by our account of the facts.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Delta, as evidenced by its own flight schedule, has reduced flights in TPA and FLL. When flight schedules are reduced in the airline industry this quite often leads to a reduction in force, also known as lay offs or a reduction in the number of hours worked through leaves, etc.

Lay offs and reduction in force are part of the airline industry. When these occur, IAM members fare better than non union employees because we have guarantees outlining our seniority rights. We have more choices and better choices because of our contract. Delta won’t provide written guarantees to baggage handlers or agents outlining rights to system wide bumping rights by seniority, 5 year recall rights to your home station and job security rights without a union forcing them to. Why, because Delta always reserves the right to change the rules…at any time. And they have put that in writing.

Very simply put – we believe that Delta changed its decision to eliminate these Florida jobs after we shined the light on this situation. The fact that there is a union drive has helped save these jobs…for now. Delta has attacked the credibility of the IAM and Red Tales to take focus off the issues. Expect more of this. It is part of the “union avoidance” play book. Help save these jobs and more – support your IAM union drive!!!

AMERICA DOWNSIZED

AMERICANS ASKED TO LOWER FUTURE EXPECTATIONS
ASSAULT ON WORKING MEN AND WOMEN IS JUST BEGINNING

I’m certain that everyone has noticed that the essential and favorite foods we buy daily now come in smaller containers or packages. The last time I purchased a candy bar out of a vending machine not only had the price gone up but the size of the bar was considerably smaller. At first I thought my eyes were failing or my hands had gotten bigger. Nope, I and everyone else were being screwed!

I don’t know what makes me more upset; the price gouging and smaller packages or the fact that we were expected to not notice. How dumb do they think we as consumers have gotten? Or maybe they watched as the bankers and mega-financial institutions, mortgage companies and ‘asleep at the wheel’ politicians mishandled and pillaged the monies of all economies with hardly anyone noticing and figured if we didn’t understand that kind of a global ponzi scheme, shrinking 2 quarts of ice cream to a quart and a half all the while charging the same amount would be child’s play.

We as American consumers and workers are being mentally manipulated by the powers to be to accept diminishing expectations in our lives. Our cars, homes, vacations, pay, benefits and heavens knows what else are shrinking and we are being conditioned by those who make the rules (and the food!) to get used to it and take our medicine (in reduced dosages) like grown up men and women.

We’re all for reducing over consumption and participating in conservation and sane approaches to our environment while working smarter and more effective. Let’s all join in making the world cleaner and greener; in reducing waste and limiting our ruinous excesses.

But don’t tell us that workers are to blame for the condition of the world’s economy. Our current crop of gluttonous leaders, politicians, bankers, financial pundits and ‘water carrying’ prognosticators have done most of the damage and reaped huge windfall profits from their deceptive practices.

It’s amazing how a very few well placed, powerful people can do so much damage to the world’s economy in such a short time. Many of them will eventually end up in jail, hopefully. We, however, must not listen to those who want us to share in the blame or participate by not protecting ourselves as we go forward.

We are convinced that part of the argument Delta will present in the near future for not unionizing will be the weakness in the world economy. They will say that there is no money for better benefits and improved pay. The apologists who parrot Delta’s predictable rhetoric have already begun the attacks. Many of these people are fellow employees who worry about keeping what they have and don’t think or concern themselves with the tomorrows.

We say to all of us that without a union in our future, keeping what we already have will be impossible. Maintaining our current job status with Delta will be improbable and receiving the future promised ‘industry standard pay’; total pie in the sky.

We now have the labor friendly NMB we needed and wanted; our petition for an election through the IAM is just within reach. As summer’s hot days begin to wane; our new future could be beginning. Don’t let the worries and fears of others allow that future to be downsized any farther. Victory is in sight and the fun has just begun. If you haven’t signed your IAM card, do it TODAY! In solidarity, victory will be attained.

JUST REMEMBERING

HONORING OUR BRAVE MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN
REMEMBERING OUR LOVED ONES WHO HAVE PASSED

Memorial Day is a solemn day, one filled with thoughts and feelings of those who have gone before us; our relatives and honored Armed Service men and women who have paid the ultimate price for our families and beloved Country.

I don’t possess the written eloquence to pay sufficient homage and thanks to those who have given so much including their lives; they have my endless respect and admiration.

I was just remembering those in my family who passed way too soon and quite often I find myself wondering what kind of world it would be if these fine human beings had stayed just a while longer among us. We all have friends and relatives who left us early; everyone can relate to a life seemingly not fully lived and cut short.

We should all give thanks for the heroes among us who served our Country and our families with dignity, silent strength and giving souls. God has filled his ‘pantry’ with some of the world’s most precious creations; we miss them all.

I quite often find myself thinking back to better days at Delta and wonder what might have been had we had a more steady hand at the helm during trying times and financially difficult junctures in our history.

I was just remembering how hassle free my medical benefits used to be and fondly recall being able to visit my medical practitioners easily receiving the medicine and help I needed without delay or obstacles.

I remember making a decent living, being able to pay all my bills on time and having enough left over for relaxation and recreation. I looked through the old pay stubs the other day and was stunned at what I used to make 10 years ago.

I remember having Delta agents who I could call should a problem arise with pay or health issues and wish those days would have never ended. There is really no reason beyond our own missteps and incompetence that we couldn’t have that kind of work life again. Recessions and bad economies come and go and in the past they didn’t turn the boat over and cause us all to swim for shore. Why should now be any different?

What we are missing currently is a steady hand and voice to help protect what we still have and build upon what we most desperately need. This Memorial Day let’s pay our respects to those who have left and gone to their rewards; let’s concentrate on building a foundation that will supply us who remain the kind of memories one can look back upon with pride and inner strength.

I was just remembering how good it used to be and know with a little hard work and perseverance we will have that kind of justice in the workplace again. Let’s do it together. The IAM is willing to be that voice and will show us the way to find our deserved place on top of the airline world in pay, benefits and customer satisfaction.