Delts urges swift confirmation of NMB Nominee

[BABABOOY]

All in agreement now. Get confirmed and lets get voting.
enough is enough.

http://ca.sys-con.com/node/948986
Fair use:
ATLANTA, May 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today issued the following statement from Mike Campbell, executive vice president of Human Resources and Labor Relations, urging the United States Senate to act quickly to confirm Linda Puchala's nomination to a position on the National Mediation Board (NMB).

 

[fudgerunyard]

I agree. The unions at Northwest have tried to delay a vote for a reason. If they were so sure of themselves, they would have called for one months ago. It's not my fault i still don't know squat about the IAM or where they stand on the issues. They've done a poor job at best at trying to get their message across to DAL workers. My guess is they that know the unionizing attempts will fail and they're simply trying to collect dues as long as possible.

 

[Kev3188]

It's not my fault i still don't know squat about the IAM or where they stand on the issues. They've done a poor job at best at trying to get their message across to DAL workers.

I realize that you're probably being facetious, nevertheless...

There is a *ton* of info available to DL workers. In addition, every hub has had several get togethers and/or informational meetings. Several line stations as well....

To start, try here:

www.iam143.org

or, if you're in ATL, why not pop over to the IAM office? It's there for you... might as well use it.

If that's still not good enough for you, post any question you have on the "issues" here, and I'll try to answer them.

P.S. In case it's on your list, I have no idea when we're voting...

 

[LukeAisleWalker]

All in agreement now. Get confirmed and lets get voting.
enough is enough.

http://ca.sys-con.com/node/948986
Fair use:
ATLANTA, May 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today issued the following statement from Mike Campbell, executive vice president of Human Resources and Labor Relations, urging the United States Senate to act quickly to confirm Linda Puchala's nomination to a position on the National Mediation Board (NMB).

BB,
I don't know if you saw it on Deltanet yet but the preliminary outline for pre-merger Delta FA's AQ training (Aircraft Qualification) was posted today and it says training runs from Aug 09-Mar 10. So, in other words, all pre-merger Delta FAs won't be qualified on NW equipment until Mar 2010. Now, if the vote is called in the next month or two (by June, tallied in Aug or Sept)...and should it pass, that gives the AFA negotiating committee and Delta mgt. six months to come to terms on a TA and send it out to us for a vote. I don't think that's too unreasonable as Delta will bargain in good faith in order to begin receiving the "synergies" from the combined airline. They have motivation, so-to-speak. They did the pilots in about 4 months, so who is to say we can't get this done in 6??
Again, sounds reasonable to me.

Now, for fun, I am going to add my own prediction here. Ready?
Again, this is just for fun (like betting on the Super Bowl or Oscars or something.) I have no insight, necessarily at all. It's just a hunch.
I think Puchala will NOT change the RLA voting procedure to yes/no...not initially anyway. She will want to show that just because she was once Pres. of AFA doesn not mean she can't be impartial and objective.
Next the vote will happen and it will be extremely close. If AFA loses by a slim margin, then I think they may very well file for a yes/no (Laker style) ballot especially if there are incidences of interference filed. Because Dems are in control this time (remember our last 2 elections were during the Bush era/Rep NMB), I think Delta's strategy COULD BE different, meaning no "Give a Rip, Don't Click/Don't Dial" signs, etc..BUT.. IF Puchala sees signs of "interference", then it wouldn't suprise me to see a recall vote with a yes/no ballot and then the union passing.
If Puchala and board don't find interference, then Delta f/a's remain nonunion.
Again, to all the readers out there. This is just my guesstimate/hunch (based on non-scientific reading, chatting, etc...), again this is NOT a scientific analysis. 🙄

 

[BABABOOY]

Your timeline is optimistic but it can work and it does
sound reasonable. Yes I did see the timeline for training.
However that is not to say
that we cannot integrate our two groups by the Jan 1 .
The majority of the pre-merger group will be qualified and
their will be no reason why we cant operate under one certificate.
I just believe anything beyond June will be unreasonable and perceived
as obstruction by the AFA. I also agree that it will be very close, and
I will not make a prediction this time ;-) (even though my last one was
right on the money)

 

[Dignity]

that we cannot integrate our two groups by the Jan 1 .
The majority of the pre-merger group will be qualified and
their will be no reason why we cant operate under one certificate.

to me, it would seem an SOC would not be issued until training is completed?
I know some Flight Attendants have their training month assigned in Jan 2010.

I just believe anything beyond June will be unreasonable

I agree.

if the election is pushed too far into the future, once we are operating under a single certificate..(and representation is still not determined) we will remain separate, even though qualified on each others aircraft, because our current contract will still be active.

*whoever ultimately is confirmed to the NMB will not effect my vote one way or another....

 

[Dignity]

six months to come to terms on a TA and send it out to us for a vote.

that is exactly why the election should be early summer..

and

if it is determined representation is the majority decision..

while we, the Flight Attendants are in training, the union is in the process of negotiating a Tentative Agreement.. so when the training is complete...there is a Tentative Agreement,

at the time the SOC is issued

so we are able to fly together shortly thereafter.

 

[brokenwrench]

A joint contract for the F/A's would be nice before SOC but not needed.
US has a SOC and no single contract with its pilots or F/A's.

 

[Dignity]

A joint contract for the F/A's would be nice before SOC but not needed.
US has a SOC and no single contract with its pilots or F/A's.

we already have their aircraft moved to our bases/hubs..(some on International flights)

for example, they have moved a NW A330 and put a DL767 in its place for an International flight and have reduced frequencies on some Asia flights from our bases.

they are also planning capacity cuts in the fall of 2009.

if we do not have a Tentative Agreement at the time an SOC is issued and ratified shortly thereafter..(and even though we are trained on all equipment) we will still not have the ability to fly a pre merger-Delta aircraft in our own bases and visa versa in their bases where pre-merger NW aircraft was moved.

it may not seem like such an issue at this time, but once the planned capacity cuts go into effect...some will have a better understanding.... why it is important we come together as a group, in order to fly all equipment.. that has been shifted and right sized to meet market demands.

I understand it may be different from airline to airline, but in this case it may be to the benefit of the Flight Attendant group.. having all outstanding issues addressed prior to the SOC..

and resolved shortly after the SOC.

 

[LukeAisleWalker]

However that is not to say
that we cannot integrate our two groups by the Jan 1 .
The majority of the pre-merger group will be qualified and
their will be no reason why we cant operate under one certificate.

BB,
Think about what you're saying here. You think (assuming the union is voted down) that Delta is going to integrate both groups (Jan 1) when there are still hundreds of FAs outstanding who have not received integrated aircraft qualification? So, you're on a 3 day trip and you're re-routed, 1 of the FAs hasn't been to training yet, then what? Nightmare for crew tracking and scheduling.
What is the big deal between Jan1 and March?? It's 2 months. You're in that rush/rush mode.
Another thing. I don't know if the SOC can be issued before all FAs are trained. It doesn't matter because if you' aren't trained on an a/c type, you don't work it.

Dignity--we KNOW already that your mind is made up as are probably 90% of us.
AFAs' waiting for Puchala to be confirmed has little to do with WHO is going to vote than HOW we are going to vote and HOW the board goes forward and deals with possible charges of interference and other processes.

 

[Dignity]

HOW the board goes forward and deals with possible charges of interference.

basically some just do not like who is on the NMB at this time and are awaiting someone they do..

possible interference implies we are also awaiting an election and appointment for a..

'what if scenario' (that may never happen this time)..

its a different ball game this time with the election, they are bringing NW people into the fold, I highly suggest..in order to build trust they leave any ..

rip it, nip it, zip it campaigns or whatever they are... on the shelf and just let people decide this time without any unnecessary two cents thrown into the mix.

 

[LukeAisleWalker]

basically some just do not like who is on the NMB at this time and are awaiting someone they do..

And what's wrong with that? Some think Van de Water is partial to corporations (AFA), some don't think she is, but there's nothing wrong with strategising. There's a lot at stake at both the company and the union.

possible interference implies we are also awaiting an election and appointment for a'what if scenario' (that may never happen this time)..

You don't think there's going to be an election???

its a different ball game this time with the election, they are bringing NW people into the fold, I highly suggest..in order to build trust they leave any ..

rip it, nip it, zip it campaigns or whatever they are... on the shelf and just let people decide this time without any unnecessary two cents thrown into the mix.

I agree and they may very well not employ any of these tactics this time, but they are subtle (that's why the 2 Rep NMB member's found Delta not guilty of interference and the 1 Dem--and former airline employee---did find interference). Also, as I stated in my previous post, I don't think they will employ the "give a rip" tactics this time but IMHO it's not because of NW joining the fold, it's because of WHO will be making up the NMB this time...thus, waiting for Ms. Puchala.

 

[Dignity]

And what's wrong with that? Some think Van de Water is partial to corporations (AFA), some don't think she is, but there's nothing wrong with strategising. There's a lot at stake at both the company and the union.

I can actually see it from both perspectives..however,

that can go back and forth for a lengthy time though..

trying to get that.. 'it feels right now' to have an election at a certain time..

when in fact the only way to actually determine the majority wishes is just go ahead and have an election..

You don't think there's going to be an election???

oh yes I believe there will be an election, there has to be this time..

let me clarify.. if they are awaiting for a different appointment to the NMB to deal with "possible" interference that may just be simply unnecessary delaying to deal with a situation that will probably not even present itself.

it is not really a justifiable reason to put an entire election on hold just for the fact some think there may be interference.

it's not because of NW joining the fold, it's because of WHO will be making up the NMB this time...thus, waiting for Ms. Puchala.

any negative union campaigns during this next election, will not be such a good idea because of NW people joining the fold..

believe it.

for the most part everything is going fairly smoothly...if a 'nip it campaign' pops up during the integration process.. is the point it may start to go out the window, the trust being built... (it will not be appreciated.. or thought of as very respectful..)

I hope they dont do it..

 

[Dignity]

not guilty of interference and the 1 Dem--and former airline employee---did find interference).

someone is always going to think there is some kind of interference.. even if there is a justifiable reason or not.

but in reality...the numbers who participated just werent there and opted,

not at this time for representation the last time.

they just didn't have the numbers.

that may be different this time or it may not, but the only way to get the ball rolling and find out..how the group is to proceed going forward..is to have an election timely, and I agree with others opinions that should begin in June when training begins..

 

[LukeAisleWalker]

someone is always going to think there is some kind of interference.. even if there is a justifiable reason or not.

Maybe, but the only opinions that matter in this case are those of the Nat'l Mediation Board Members. They, headed by Ms. Puchala, are the only game-changers when it comes to future rulings..not AFA, not Delta mgt.