FOR MANY THE CHECKS ARE ALREADY IN THE MAIL
Many of you who have been attending the VRT over the last few months have heard promises being made about potential rewards and enhancements that might be coming our way in the very near future. Rich Cordell has even been quoted as saying that a “competitive package is on the way.”
For other airlines, however, the checks are already in the mail. While our heads are filled with promises, others’ pockets are being filled with money. You would think that Delta would be falling over themselves to take care of the loyal employees who have sacrificed so much to keep Delta afloat during such difficult monetary times.
Delta, however, is under no contractual obligation, at least to all of us except the pilots, to do anything. We have no union, we have no contract, and we have no agreements that stipulate to anything for us in any regard.
Other carriers who are unionized went through the same financial pressures that we did and through union concessions and negotiations, made tough decisions about giving up wages, benefits, holidays, etc. The difference is that their unions during complicated, difficult negotiations had written clauses and stipulations that should the airlines get healthy financially and reach certain plateaus, the workers would receive portions of their concessions and pay back. This is what is occurring in the airline industry all around us right now.
Perhaps many of you don’t realize that IAM union officials wear two hats. Virtually all of them still work for the companies they represent. They have no interest in seeing their airlines go out of business. This is why they were willing to negotiate certain concessions to keep the airlines running. However, concessions are not permanent and financial successes should be shared. This is the great need that unions provide, helping to save the airlines but guaranteeing that their members reap the rewards of their shared sacrifice.
Because of IAM Agreements with UAL, U.S. Airways and Northwest, their IAM represented employees will be receiving profit sharing checks, some will be receiving distributions from the sale of Unsecured Claims. All of this is happening this very week.
We, on the other hand have received nothing but platitudes and promises. Many of you have accepted a trip to the VRT where you were given a hefty helping of indoctrination and two free drinks. It hardly seems fair but there is a cost in not having competent representation.
The next time you have the occasion to talk to one of our appointed forum reps or Board Council people, ask them what they are doing about our wages or benefits. They will tell you that those subjects are not under their charter or purview. What useful purpose do they serve?
Wouldn’t you rather have real representation through IAM and a contract which will provide tangible monetary benefits? For many, the checks are already in the mail.
Many of you who have been attending the VRT over the last few months have heard promises being made about potential rewards and enhancements that might be coming our way in the very near future. Rich Cordell has even been quoted as saying that a “competitive package is on the way.”
For other airlines, however, the checks are already in the mail. While our heads are filled with promises, others’ pockets are being filled with money. You would think that Delta would be falling over themselves to take care of the loyal employees who have sacrificed so much to keep Delta afloat during such difficult monetary times.
Delta, however, is under no contractual obligation, at least to all of us except the pilots, to do anything. We have no union, we have no contract, and we have no agreements that stipulate to anything for us in any regard.
Other carriers who are unionized went through the same financial pressures that we did and through union concessions and negotiations, made tough decisions about giving up wages, benefits, holidays, etc. The difference is that their unions during complicated, difficult negotiations had written clauses and stipulations that should the airlines get healthy financially and reach certain plateaus, the workers would receive portions of their concessions and pay back. This is what is occurring in the airline industry all around us right now.
Perhaps many of you don’t realize that IAM union officials wear two hats. Virtually all of them still work for the companies they represent. They have no interest in seeing their airlines go out of business. This is why they were willing to negotiate certain concessions to keep the airlines running. However, concessions are not permanent and financial successes should be shared. This is the great need that unions provide, helping to save the airlines but guaranteeing that their members reap the rewards of their shared sacrifice.
Because of IAM Agreements with UAL, U.S. Airways and Northwest, their IAM represented employees will be receiving profit sharing checks, some will be receiving distributions from the sale of Unsecured Claims. All of this is happening this very week.
We, on the other hand have received nothing but platitudes and promises. Many of you have accepted a trip to the VRT where you were given a hefty helping of indoctrination and two free drinks. It hardly seems fair but there is a cost in not having competent representation.
The next time you have the occasion to talk to one of our appointed forum reps or Board Council people, ask them what they are doing about our wages or benefits. They will tell you that those subjects are not under their charter or purview. What useful purpose do they serve?
Wouldn’t you rather have real representation through IAM and a contract which will provide tangible monetary benefits? For many, the checks are already in the mail.
posted by Delta Ramp @ 1:12 PM
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