MORE WORDS FROM THE TARMAC
MARKETS CONTINUE SLIDE TO OBLIVION WHILE…..
…..600,000 MORE JOBS DISAPPEAR

Hey, but on the horizon there is good news. Delta is saving millions of dollars by having their surrogates deny and delay as many employee medical claims as possible. No kidding! Have any of you tried to collect on an extended illness lately? Every stall tactic and hurdle possible will be thrown at you by Sedgwick CMS to keep you from collecting your rightful benefits and sick pay. Never mind that you probably won’t get paid your first week even if you do successfully overcome their roadblocks. No, your benefits without an advocate like the IAM are merely a façade that are very rarely extended fully to you.

Delta, meanwhile, is clamoring for an election so that we can turn the page and become one. Yes, Gil West has been advocating for the AFA and the IAM to get busy and file with the NMB for an immediate election. Could it be that the anti-union Bush appointed board is about to be replaced by a labor friendly group of people who understand working men and womens’ struggles? Could that be the reason for the rush? Or is Delta just pushing for elections; especially ‘fixed’ ones!

Have you noticed how Gil in his weekly column of Feb. 25th put a bucket load of ‘lipstick’ on the ready reserve program? How on earth could anyone describe this fundamental assault on working people an ‘opportunity’? This policy is designed to begin the dismantling of all of our jobs, one at a time. You will hear the naïve say that “I wasn’t replaced by a ready reserve because I still have my job, I was just moved.” Huh?

Somebody was replaced. A line that could have been held by a full-time benefited employee disappeared. How can that be considered good? Some day when cut backs ultimately happen in this disastrous economy, what position do you think Delta will keep without the protection of a contract? Full-time and part-time…or Ready Reserve?!

Delta is asking for all employees to help them hasten the union elections. We have an idea to help them out. Everyone needs to sign or re-sign a union authorization card. Signing a card doesn’t necessarily mean that you are fully decided on unionization; it just simply suggests that you would like to have a voice in the decision. Come on, show your company patriotism by getting those cards signed and in the mail. Delta will thank you.


Delta wants a quick election but they aren’t too interested in having the ‘candidates’ debate the issues. IAM ramp workers in Minnesota have challenged Richard Anderson and Ed Bastian to come and debate the issues with them. They will meet them anywhere at any time. Ed, the snow is melting in Park City anyway; winter is over. You can give up some of your weekend jaunts at your ski mansion and come and talk with the boys on the ramp. We will even supply the chili!