Then and Now

A PMDL union supporter from ATL sent us a stack of anti union Delta literature from the last ramp organizing drive. This took place in 2000. The anti union campaign was very similar to the Delta campaign being run now. The Transport Workers Union, who ran the union campaign in 2000, was attacked for collecting union dues, being ineffective and for being outsiders. The Company touted their “direct relationship” and their ability to watch out for their employee’s interests.

What we found most interesting was Delta’s commitment to INDUSTRY LEADING pay and benefits in 2000. Delta says in one of their 2000 leaflets, “Wages, benefits and conditions of employment at Delta lead the airline industry.” In another flyer dated January 13, 2000, Delta says, “Delta is delivering on its commitment to strive to keep Delta’s top-of-scale compensation the best in the industry.”

Industry Average

Those days are gone. Today, Richard Anderson commits the airline to maintaining industry average. Today, the only ones who enjoy industry leading compensation are Delta executives.

In the years since the election, wages and benefits plummeted. This of course began to change in 2007 once workers started organizing again to gain union representation.

New Hiring

Delta says in 2000 in their leaflets, “New jobs are being created at a near record pace.” Delta added thousands of ramp workers to make sure voting rolls were padded for the vote. Delta has employed this strategy again by adding thousands of Ready Reserve workers over the past 2 years. Delta does have a problem now, because most Ready Reserve workers support the IAM.

Retirees

Delta also made promises to watch out for their retirees and those ready for retirement. They said, “Right now Delta has the flexibility to work through issues without third party intervention.” In reality retirees were pummeled by Delta; frozen pensions, elimination of retiree medical benefits, elimination of eligibility for any defined benefit pension plan. The promised protection simply wasn’t there because retirees had no written guarantees. They had no voice at the table.

Today Delta has raised PMDL workers’ wages to industry average. PMDL workers are once again enjoying the fruits of Delta’s efforts to keep their workers non union. History says this will be a short lived phenomenon without a guaranteed, legally binding union contract.

Even Delta’s commitment to keeping their workers at average wages is being undercut as we watch. Mergers at United-Continental and Southwest-AirTran will undoubtedly drive the standard upward in the coming months. This will benefit every Delta worker if we have a union. A raised industry standard will help all of us bring in a contract that will deliver us to a career job again.