IT’S ALL ABOUT HAVING A VOICE
DELTA EMPLOYEE DENIED WCF RIGHTS
RAMP WORKERS MADE TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES
As was earlier reported; a pregnant employee was made to work while pregnant and sustained a stomach muscle injury. We thought at the time that the silver lining to this incident was that now she could rest at home while pregnant and injured because of Workers' Compensation.
Not so! Apparently being pregnant trumps being injured and in our city, pregnant women on the ramp are forced to work in baggage service. Delta must figure that pregnant women deserve to listen to irate passengers complain about their lost luggage all day long.
This employee asked to see her own choice of Doctor, as is her right during an occupational injury as long as she sees Delta’s occupational doctor first. She complied with the regulations and saw not one, not two, but three doctors provided by Delta. Apparently Delta didn’t get the answer they wanted in the first two choices and kept fishing until they found a voice who agreed with their thinking.
This employee was given a 5 pound lift restriction, never mind most bags weigh 10 times that much, this was all Delta needed to force her back to work at baggage service despite the fact that there is no light duty anymore.
Pregnant and hurt and forced to work; she was also denied her request to see her own choice of doctor in clear violation of the Labor Commission’s rules and regulations in her State. She was told that she would have to bear the expense herself.
What is most angering and frustrating is the lack of support and knowledgeable voices that we have at Delta Air Lines. Just because Delta contracts out most of their “help” departments to outside firms doesn’t mean that they make the rules concerning Workers' Compensation or any other employee concern.
You would think that departments like Human Resources that are still in house would be a source of support and helpful information, but sadly, this is not the case. Human Resources, The Forum and the Delta Board Council are mere mouth pieces for the Company. They have no interest in going to bat for an individual employee and in fact, generally represent their view of the Company’s financial well being over individual rights and needs.
The odds are that at best, you will be misled, and at worst, lied to.
We can’t think of a better reason to go union. The best source of good and accurate information concerning this matter or other matters dealing with workers' compensation issues has come from the IAM union representative in our city. Isn’t it sad that we have to go to another airline employee to get accurate, quality information about Delta employees’ concerns and situations?
Delta finally relented a week or so ago, and allowed this employee to go home, probably because she will be giving birth next month.
Aren’t you tired of wondering what to do when ill or injured? Wouldn’t you rather have clear, succinct and caring help at a time of need? There are a lot of reasons to sign a union card; (better pay, quality benefits, complete pension). Having a voice that answers tough questions and is prepared to stand by you when you are compromised due to illness, injury or company perceived violations is, in our mind, the best reason to go union.
Please, consider signing that card today.
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