Northwest union seeks to halt Delta crew integration

[BABABOOY]

From the AJC:

"The Association of Flight Attendants this month filed a grievance saying Delta must stop combining the two carriers' flight crews because its contract says flights flown by Northwest pilots must be worked by Northwest flight attendants. Delta and Northwest pilots have already combined seniority lists and started working together on flights."

http://www.ajc.com/business/northwest-unio...-to-363126.html

 

[WorldTraveler]

uhhh. since there are no more NW pilots what flights do the NW FAs think they are going to work? Since DL is already operating flights crewed by both PMDL and PMNW pilots on the same flight, it seems to me the AFA pleas won't go too far.

 

[HottootrotNyc]

uhhh. since there are no more NW pilots what flights do the NW FAs think they are going to work? Since DL is already operating flights crewed by both PMDL and PMNW pilots on the same flight, it seems to me the AFA pleas won't go too far.

Considering they are in full violation of the Flight Attendant agreement, an agreement NWA and now Delta has agreed to uphold. AFA does have a leg to stand on, a pretty big one. They might not be able to stop them from mixed flying but they sure will get something in return for the violation, while the PMDL FA's still get to be proud of having the lowest costs AKA, making the least amount of money and benefits at of any airline in the world, while working at the largest, ROFL.

 

[Kev3188]

Rebuttal (from the World Class site on FB):

Simone Cerasa March 17 at 1:20pm Reply
The following was provided by a fewllow flight attendant:

•The AFA cannot impose a pre-merger contract on the portion of a post-merger workgroup they do not represent. The AFA’s grievance seeks to prevent PMDL flight attendants from flying on any Delta aircraft flown by any “PMNW pilot.†Approximately 65 percent of our flight attendants are not represented by the AFA, but the AFA’s grievance could, if allowed to go forward, significantly impact the work schedules, quality of work life and pay of PMDL flight attendants (as well as PMNW flight attendants).

Response:
AFA is not imposing the PMNW contract on any PMDL employee. If anyone is imposing a pre-merger contract on a portion of a post-merger workgroup - it is Delta management. PMNW Flight Attendant Scope language is no surprise. Not only was Delta management aware of PMNW Flight Attendant’s Scope language - they AGREED to it as a condition of purchasing/acquiring/becoming the successor of Northwest Airlines. They entered into that agreement with the full knowledge and the weighing of all the benefits and stipulations of the transaction - and STILL determined it was in Delta’s best interest to move forward with the acquisition of NWA.


• The proper step for the AFA is to file with the NMB to resolve representation. The AFA filed last July but withdrew its filing in November. They need to file again.

Response:
AFA continues to be willing to have representation issues resolved in a fair and equitable manner at the earliest possible date. If Richard Anderson and the rest of Delta managment were so concerned with benefits of cross-fleeting - and improving the work schedules, quality of work life and pay of the Flight Attendants at the new Delta - they could have easily agreed to the new voting procedures MONTHS ago, the union election could have already taken place, and the current summer schedule plans could have proceeded without delay or substantially negative impact on scheduling or the Flight Attendant/Pilot groups. Delta management bears the full responsibility for their decision.


• As a practical matter, our PMNW flight attendants could not be scheduled only on aircraft to be operated by “PMNW pilots.†Our pilots are now operating under an integrated, post-merger Delta pilots seniority list and are bidding for and moving to different aircraft than they had flown pre-merger.

Response:
This is a practical matter that Delta management was fully aware of prior to their decision to acquire Northwest Airlines and become it’s successor. Furthermore, Delta management worked WITH the pilot group to resolve representation, integration and seniority issues to enable them to bid and move to different aircraft than they had flown pre-merger. Had Delta management been as prepared, forthcoming and cooperative with the Flight Attendant group, the upcoming scheduling “problem†would not be an issue.


• Finally, the AFA is attempting to impose restrictions that would make it impossible to fly the upcoming summer schedule without negatively impacting thousands of flight attendants, both PMDL and PMNW, through unproductive trips, deadheading and involuntary base transfers. In contrast, our plans for cross staffing will allow us to maintain or improve the trip quality and characteristics you are used to flying from your base.

Response:
AFA is not attempting to impose anything on anyone. Again, Delta management was keenly aware of potential restrictions at the time of the merger and decided that the synergies and over-all cost-savings created would far outweigh the costs of the PMNW Flight Attendants Scope language. While Delta management’s failure to properly plan for these potential restrictions by negotiating with ALL it’s Flight Attendants may result in a temporary hold on improving “planned†trip quality and characteristics - this negative impact pales in comparison to the changes that can and WILL occur as Delta further manipulates the schedule to optimize flying if the current route structure is not sustainable. There is NO GUARANTEE that the upcoming summer schedule and potential benefits will remain in place! Absent Scope language and protections for ALL Delta Flight Attendants - not only can management move aircraft AND flying AND Flight Attendants from base to base AT WILL - they can easily out-source/insource Flight Attendant jobs just like they have done with the cleaners, agents and most recently, office staff members.


•For all of these reasons, we intend to proceed with cross staffing. May trips will be finalized within the next few weeks and posted in early April. Flight Ops also intends to continue with the integration of our pilot crews, which as you know is well under way.

Response:
For these very reasons, it is apparent that Delta management’s claimed “family culture†has deteriorated into a selfish, imposing, irresponsible, threatening and litigious one. Once again, actions speak far louder than words. What ever happened to the lofty “rules of the road†of which management so often speaks? You would all do well to review the one that says: “Keep your dealsâ€. Our scope clause is a deal you knew about and made when Delta agreed to become the successor of Northwest Airlines.


•Certainly we would have preferred not to have taken this action, but could not accept the risk that the AFA’s action would impose on our people and our business.

Response:
Delta management accepted the PMNW Flight Attendant Scope clause BEFORE they purchased/acquired Northwest Airlines. This and their subsequent actions mean they bear the full responsibility for ANY and ALL risk that is purported to be imposed on the people and business of Delta Air Lines.


•As you know, our flight attendants have devoted thousands of hours to IQ and AQ training to enjoy the benefits of cross staffing and to be ready for the upcoming summer schedule.

Response:
Flight Attendants have survived thousands of hours of stress as we endured training class after training class and received countless bulletins and memos in addition to the seemingly endless frustrations and changes as the Delta and Northwest systems are integrated. We remain ready and willing to participate in the company wide benefits of cross staffing and an improved summer schedule - however, we are not willing to do so in a hasty and reckless fashion that could very well make those improvements fleeting at best.


•In a recent letter to PMNW flight attendants, the AFA suggests it is pursuing this grievance somehow to assure them that we will not “outsource†their jobs. As we’ve made clear on countless occasions – both in words and actions – we have no intention of outsourcing flight attendant jobs.

Response:
As has become all too clear to the dedicated employees of Delta Air Lines - management’s “intentions†and their “actions†are often two very different things. Even under the best of circumstances, the most sincere intentions can easily fall by the wayside. I am sure that Delta had no “intention†of reducing the office support staff at bases around the system, and yet these people are being laid off while the workload increases for those who are able to still keep their jobs.

Management can make all the promises they want - but until they are willing to put their “intentions†into specific plans and commitments in writing, in an enforceable contract - Flight Attendant‘s culture, flying and quality of life - not to mention their very JOBS - are at risk in what is becoming an increasingly volatile industry.


•We value our culture and our relationship with our flight attendants. This worn out scare tactic is both unproductive and destructive to our culture.

Response:
These words ring increasingly hollow with hard-working employees who continue to make enormous sacrifices in pay, work rules and quality of life issues. What is TRULY unproductive and destructive is upper management’s scare tactics of impending economic “doom†in trying to further rob dedicated Delta Flight Attendants of the fair and reasonable wages and work rules they have earned. All this while management continues to boast about the merger synergies and cost-savings as they reap huge salaries and bonuses.


Here is the letter sent to Richard Anderson on November 10th asking for a fair election right away!
http://www.deltaafa.org/images/PDF/ElectionLetter.pdf

to this day Richard Anderson has failed to reply to us!

 

[metopower]

Rebuttal (from the World Class site on FB):

<Lengthy repost deleted by Mod.>[/i]

Go to court. Get that ruling and show Delta how it is done!

 

[DalMD88]

There really has to be a vote on representation. The union and DL have to come to an agreement on who is eligable to vote, and get it done. Same for ramp. The companies are now one. It is time to move on to what ever is next. I think they should be union, but I don't have a vote in either group.

 

[Kev3188]

Go to court. Get that ruling and show Delta how it is done!

I assume you meant this in a general way. By the way, I'm not an F/A... I just figured people would want to see both sides.

There really has to be a vote on representation. The union and DL have to come to an agreement on who is eligable to vote, and get it done. Same for ramp. The companies are now one. It is time to move on to what ever is next. I think they should be union, but I don't have a vote in either group.

Completely agree, though I would've liked to see DL call the AFA's bluff and agree to their terms for an immediate vote.

I think we'll see something in the next few weeks regarding the IAM. Nothing to base that on besides gut feeling and a few whispers, so take it with the usual fistful of salt.

 

[BABABOOY]

The AFA is in a Dammed if you do, Dammed if you Don't situation.

They have to stand up and support the vague Language in their Contract.

However, many NW AFA f/a's are not happy with this. And for those on the

DL side who support the AFA, its a mind opening event. Simply there is no

longer NW Pilots. ALL Pilots are under one seniority list and ONE operating

certificate. There are former NW pilots who fly the 747. So Delta gets to

pay legal fees over this and the AFA flight attendants get to pay their dues

over this. We shall see who is right. The question is when. Desperate times

call for Desperate actions. sad... "A clear violation of their contract" ?

Maybe they should Strike over this....

Would be interesting how much support that would get.

 

[metopower]

Actually I meant that as a course of action. It is what a union is suppose to do ...defend their contract. It would show the F/A group what a union is and what a union does. It would also show them them the strength power and effectiveness of AFA. It is something that both sides need to see. What can THIS union do for me.

 

[bullterrier]

There really has to be a vote on representation. The union and DL have to come to an agreement on who is eligable to vote, and get it done. Same for ramp. The companies are now one. It is time to move on to what ever is next. I think they should be union, but I don't have a vote in either group.

Umm, every FA is eligible to vote. I agree there should be a vote on representation now with current rules. If the rules change, then call for another vote. The issue isn't between DL and AFA agreeing on anything. The AFA decided to call off the election. I could really care less if they are union or not, I don't have a vote either. I just think the AFA needs to let things move forward so the company can move forward, union or not. The AFA is concerned about losing their precious money.

 

[Kev3188]

Umm, every FA is eligible to vote.

Both sides produce a list of whom they deem eligible. traditionally, the company will try and make the list as long as possible by adding ineligible names to the list (harder to achieve 50% +1 that way). This can include folks who've gone into management, other classifications, retired, died, you name it. Both sides review the other's submitted list, and contest names as needed. Once the "final" list is agreed upon/settled/whatever, then only those on the list actually get to vote.

 

[BoeingBoy]

Kev,

That sounds more like the workgroups coming up with an acceptable list in a merger than the NMB process. Under the NMB procedures, a NMB investigator is assigned to the case. The company provides both the investigator and the union seeking the election copies of the list. Either side can contest names on the list, although since the company provides said list it's usually only the union that contests names on the list. The NMB investigator investigates contested names and rules whether that individual is eligible to vote or not. Once all the contested individuals have been determined to be eligible to vote or not, the list becomes semi-final. Changes to the list can be made until the last pay day prior to the election, so if there is hiring, deaths, retirements, resignations, etc, prior to that cutoff, the list can change. Once the cutoff is reached, no further changes to the list are made and it then becomes the official list of eligible voters.

Jim

 

[dapoes]

They really have no leg to stand on (AFA). There is no NWA pilots, they merged under one for some time now. I believe its just another stalling tactic in hopes that somehow the NMB will rule in their favor. Just wait till they don't get their way and see AFA throw another stalling tactic in the mix.

 

[BABABOOY]

One has to question the timing of this. Why did the AFA wait until now to file this grievance?
They have known about Delta's timeline for almost a year now. Why now?

 

[Kev3188]

One has to question the timing of this. Why did the AFA wait until now to file this grievance?
They have known about Delta's timeline for almost a year now. Why now?

Wild guess, but usually you have to wait until something actually occurs to grieve it. In this case, perhaps they had to wait until the bid packages came out?