This was an e-mail sent to me. I think that it originated from one of the Parking Lot Six. It describes the afa-CWA's grand event at the Delta Atlanta Parking Lot.
Rally? Really… That Was A Rally?
So what happened? The AFA supporters announced (on their website, hotline, email blast, other affiliated websites, etc.) that they were holding a "rally" at the employee parking lot on October 1, held in conjunction with the CWA (Communications Workers of America, the Big Brother of AFA), ITF (International Transport Workers Federation), and IAM (International Association of Machinists). Politicians and media were invited, along with their own supporters: "A big Delta flight attendant presence would be impressive and help us garner more support for our cause... Please consider taking some time from your day to invest in your future."
I thought I'd check it out, curious to hear the message from the local, national and international representatives. Plus, I wanted to see the politicians that would show up to lend their support. I was also interested to see the Delta AFA supporters that were expected to show 'en masse.' I think I was expecting to be impressed by a truly massive show of support.
After showing up, I was spotted immediately from across the street and then told a couple of times to stay away from the rally since I was in my uniform, and above all else- whatever I did- "If you see the media, don't speak to them." Did they notice I didn't have an AFA pin or did they see my "I Believe in Our Delta" pin? Hmmm…
At first, the crowd looked like it would be impressive, gathering on both sides of the entrance to the lot, and even standing in the median. Some were holding signs while others were passing out leaflets of some sort. A couple of others were shouting into their bullhorns. They got traffic to stop a couple of times coming into the lot (sorry for those trying to get to work on time).
I started counting through the supporters- I came up with around 37 or so at the rally's "peak!" Talking to the local CWA president, he told me, "All the ones in red tees are mine," and I guess he had almost 20 show up. IAM had about 5. ITF had maybe 2 in attendance (they were waving their branded flags). National AFA had a few there from other airlines (AirTran and Alaska). So it looked like there were only 4-5 Delta flight attendants (does a retiree count?) that could attend and make the "investment," I guess.
Then the "rally" was set to begin, my anticipation on edge. The hordes of thirty-odd were huddled together, and the speeches began. Or did they? Granted I was across the street, but the bullhorn messages sounded like the usual mantra: "We need a union," "We need a contract," "We need it now," etc. I didn't mind my vantage point- I assume it was just as hard to hear over on the assembly side, what with all those beautiful Delta planes roaring overhead every minute and a half.
Now, I will admit that I don't know many local Atlanta politicians, but I didn't see any political-looking folks that I could name. No one was shaking hands or kissing babies. Okay, okay- there weren't any babies there, but you get the point. They just weren't there.
And the media? No CNN camera, no AJC reporter, no local news helicopters getting the birds-eye view. Of course, with the size of the crowd, a tree branch would have given just enough of a true bird's eye view. In fact, the only cameras I saw were the ones of the attendees snapping pictures of each other. Oh, and they got a few pictures of me across the street with a few other flight attendants that had joined me in uniform. Don't worry- they were told to get a release for using my likeness in their propaganda, so we'll see if they are upright and honest enough to stick by their word. Who knows- maybe if I'm lucky enough I'll go up on one of their bulletin boards somewhere as the one to avoid!
A couple or supporters came over to speak to me. "Mantra, mantra, mantra," but still no convincing arguments and even less credibility. The skirting of issues and runaround are very clever. Focus, people- focus.
So, again, what happened? Not a lot of anything, to be perfectly honest. Looks like another AFA distraction tactic that failed. Well, AFA-CWA has told their admittedly disgruntled members that "Bad breath is better than no breath at all." I'm thinking in this case, it was more like a last desperate, mournful gasp of breath.
(Incidentally, the ITF was holding a meeting of it's own in Atlanta for the labor organizations representing the SkyTeam members. According to the ITF's ownStrategic Campaign Manual, "Usually 70 per cent participation in a collective activity is a minimum to ensure success." So would they consider the AFA's attempt at a "rally" a success for AFA if ~5 supporters showed up?!)
I was not impressed. I'm still not fooled. I am still not convinced.
Thanks, AFA, but absolutely no thanks. But just so you know, I'll be there at your next "rally," ready to speak to any and all supporters, politicians and media to show my support to keep Delta flight attendants union free. No more sitting idly by while you spread your misinformation. No more giving you time to manipulate others. No more spreading fear and lying.
Rally? Really… That Was A Rally?
So what happened? The AFA supporters announced (on their website, hotline, email blast, other affiliated websites, etc.) that they were holding a "rally" at the employee parking lot on October 1, held in conjunction with the CWA (Communications Workers of America, the Big Brother of AFA), ITF (International Transport Workers Federation), and IAM (International Association of Machinists). Politicians and media were invited, along with their own supporters: "A big Delta flight attendant presence would be impressive and help us garner more support for our cause... Please consider taking some time from your day to invest in your future."
I thought I'd check it out, curious to hear the message from the local, national and international representatives. Plus, I wanted to see the politicians that would show up to lend their support. I was also interested to see the Delta AFA supporters that were expected to show 'en masse.' I think I was expecting to be impressed by a truly massive show of support.
After showing up, I was spotted immediately from across the street and then told a couple of times to stay away from the rally since I was in my uniform, and above all else- whatever I did- "If you see the media, don't speak to them." Did they notice I didn't have an AFA pin or did they see my "I Believe in Our Delta" pin? Hmmm…
At first, the crowd looked like it would be impressive, gathering on both sides of the entrance to the lot, and even standing in the median. Some were holding signs while others were passing out leaflets of some sort. A couple of others were shouting into their bullhorns. They got traffic to stop a couple of times coming into the lot (sorry for those trying to get to work on time).
I started counting through the supporters- I came up with around 37 or so at the rally's "peak!" Talking to the local CWA president, he told me, "All the ones in red tees are mine," and I guess he had almost 20 show up. IAM had about 5. ITF had maybe 2 in attendance (they were waving their branded flags). National AFA had a few there from other airlines (AirTran and Alaska). So it looked like there were only 4-5 Delta flight attendants (does a retiree count?) that could attend and make the "investment," I guess.
Then the "rally" was set to begin, my anticipation on edge. The hordes of thirty-odd were huddled together, and the speeches began. Or did they? Granted I was across the street, but the bullhorn messages sounded like the usual mantra: "We need a union," "We need a contract," "We need it now," etc. I didn't mind my vantage point- I assume it was just as hard to hear over on the assembly side, what with all those beautiful Delta planes roaring overhead every minute and a half.
Now, I will admit that I don't know many local Atlanta politicians, but I didn't see any political-looking folks that I could name. No one was shaking hands or kissing babies. Okay, okay- there weren't any babies there, but you get the point. They just weren't there.
And the media? No CNN camera, no AJC reporter, no local news helicopters getting the birds-eye view. Of course, with the size of the crowd, a tree branch would have given just enough of a true bird's eye view. In fact, the only cameras I saw were the ones of the attendees snapping pictures of each other. Oh, and they got a few pictures of me across the street with a few other flight attendants that had joined me in uniform. Don't worry- they were told to get a release for using my likeness in their propaganda, so we'll see if they are upright and honest enough to stick by their word. Who knows- maybe if I'm lucky enough I'll go up on one of their bulletin boards somewhere as the one to avoid!
A couple or supporters came over to speak to me. "Mantra, mantra, mantra," but still no convincing arguments and even less credibility. The skirting of issues and runaround are very clever. Focus, people- focus.
So, again, what happened? Not a lot of anything, to be perfectly honest. Looks like another AFA distraction tactic that failed. Well, AFA-CWA has told their admittedly disgruntled members that "Bad breath is better than no breath at all." I'm thinking in this case, it was more like a last desperate, mournful gasp of breath.
(Incidentally, the ITF was holding a meeting of it's own in Atlanta for the labor organizations representing the SkyTeam members. According to the ITF's ownStrategic Campaign Manual, "Usually 70 per cent participation in a collective activity is a minimum to ensure success." So would they consider the AFA's attempt at a "rally" a success for AFA if ~5 supporters showed up?!)
I was not impressed. I'm still not fooled. I am still not convinced.
Thanks, AFA, but absolutely no thanks. But just so you know, I'll be there at your next "rally," ready to speak to any and all supporters, politicians and media to show my support to keep Delta flight attendants union free. No more sitting idly by while you spread your misinformation. No more giving you time to manipulate others. No more spreading fear and lying.
