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.
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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!!!