Atlanta Visibility

[gaschambers1]

EVERYONE needs to realize the old DELTA is dead and gone, along with the handshake deal and my word is my bond. You're working for a giant coorperation to which you are just a number with a cost associated with it, if they can lower that cost with another number/person, they're going to because they're in the business of making money, not supporting your family. Here's to AFA, and here's to us, may we keep the union and keep our jobs...

[mspsky]

I am not for or against a union, yes a union would be nice but the working conditions won't improve much either way. Being part of a union & doing ON PREMISES RESERVE for 6 hrs & only getting paid for only 4:15HRS? What job do you work/attend for 6 hours & only get paid for 4:15? What was the union thinking when they agreed to such thing? NW reserves are very excited hoping that either way we all get a schedule & not have to be on reserve for the next 10 yrs and better working conditions.

[tacomadudefl]

You aren't getting paid 4:15 for 6 hours of work. You get paid 80 hrs for the month, no matter how little you work or fly for the month. You're getting 4:15 of credit for OPR, and you might not even have to serve or greet a single passenger. Doesn't seem like a raw deal to me.

[tacomadudefl]

mspsky, you're looking forward to better working conditions, but you aren't for a Union? Do you think Delta is just going to say one day, "You know what, the working conditions for all you hard working flight attendants just are good enough. We are going to improve those right away!" No! We need someone to take a stand and fight for whats in our best interest, because I don't trust a major airline to value me over their bottom line.

[slcerasa]

Flychick77...

Are waitrresses exposed to unhealthy air and amounts of radiation that have shown to increase the chance of cancer?

Are waitresses responsible for the lives of hundreds of people?

As a new hire at Delta I too enjoy not being on reserve, and I look forward to that continuing WITH A CONTRACT!

Whoever tells you that reserve is coming back with representation is straight out lying to you!

[JHinMiami]

While it is each flight attendant's choice in this merger to choose representation or not, it is always interesting to remember that there isn't a single airline CEO who would choose to work without a contract. Just something to consider. Take the fact as you wish.

[slcerasa]

Northwest flight attendants are negotiating a split line program with management to help prevent any furloughs at Northwest...who is negotiating for the Delta flight attendants?

The EIG????

Please, management wannabe's don't have my best interest at heart!

[slcerasa]

Delta & Northwest have the lowest cost per available seat mile for flight attendants. Delta & Northwest flight attendants on average earned 20% less then other legacy airlines.

We need a contract to negotiate comparable wages, and benefits. If management would provide a retirement package with affordable health insurance (not $600 per month) then the attrition rate would increase which would prevent some furloughs of junior flight attendants and reduce costs even more for Delta.

[flybyday28]

I'm a DL new hire and I joined this company thinking that I was going to improve my situation so I left my old job and life and now I make less than I used to as a waitress and work twice as many hours, I believe we need a contract.

[Flychick777]

As a DL new hire, you are with the ONLY airline where you hold a line right out of the gate. At ALL others including those w/a CONTRACT, you'd be on reserve for 21 days a month! You have the ability to pick up trips/swap & control your schedule. I now get your comment that you should be paid for EVERY hour incl. sit time, etc. Sorry, but flight pay only kicks in when the door is closed & u are off the gate. Do waitresses get flight passes, pd vacation, medical? Then u can compare the 2 jobs

[kimdegaulle]

It saddens me when I read that flight attendants still believe the threat of a union is "good enough". This is it, folks. End of the line. If we don't vote, we have to wait 2 years for another shot, if any reputable union would set foot on DL property. (They won't) In two years many bad things can happen. (And will) I'm not trying to scare anyone...looking at facts is reality. If it scares you, so be it.

[slamclick]

I just love the concise comments and the energy these folks show. The conversation needs to be open and needs to be had.  Management needs to stay out of the way. This is a civil right that needs to be exercised.

[Flychick777]

NO contract will protect jobs. US Air just announced they will have furloughs & I believe more announcements from other airlines will be forthcoming. AFA cannot stop job losses.

btw, why is AFA not out there trying to get authorization cards signed? I believe they know the end is near here at DL & they are trying to hang onto dues at NWA for as long as they can. We cannot fly together & realize the synergies of the merger until this union thing is resolved. AFA is NOT Pro-Delta.

[DLDahlie]

Your sentiments resound from many NWA folks and I don't fully understand it. Has the ring of scare tactics. DL has tried to maintain a unique corp. culture and departure from these values, especially now will not be tolerated. Dedicating 7108 to Dave Garrett was not a "photo op" but an affirmation to our past and relaying those attributes into the new DL. Understand, no contract can insulate any group/company from the volatile fluctuation of oil nor political situations in countries we serve.

[zenseo]

Scare tactics to you, evaluating information to me:

From Michael Becker, current member of the DAL CLT:

"Outsourcing would be a misnomer," said Michael Becker, Northwest's senior vice president of human resources and labor relations, in response to a cross-examination by Thomas Ciantra, attorney for the pilots union. Becker was referring to the carrier's plans to replace U.S. flight attendants with foreign workers. (continued)

[zenseo]

Becker also testified that the foreign flight attendants would not be part of the U.S.-based flight attendants union, the Professional Flight Attendants Association (PFAA). Becker said Northwest would save $20.2 million by hiring non-U.S. flight attendants."

I wonder how much outsourcing could save DAL in this current economy. Today, which work group -- pre-merger DAL or pre-merger NW -- would it be easier to outsource?

[Flychick777]

This will NOT be a swift process w/DAL f/a's negotiating a contract. AFA honchos will be in control & Delta will play hardball instead of working WITH us to resolve issues as they do now. DLDahlie is correct...AFA is not going to allow top pay, etc. to DAL f/a's.  It would be a slap in the face to all those AFA f/a's who have spent their hard earned dues organizing DL instead of bettering themselves. DL WILL behave if we vote the union out because they know we'll vote one in if they don't!!!

[zenseo]

This doesn't sound like mutual respect, nor does it sound like they respect their flight attendants choosing representation. Management maintains a respectful relationship with ALPA and had no issues negotiating an industry leading contract for our pilot colleagues, same goes for the PAFCA -- 4 decades of mutual respect. This will be a swift process -- it behooves both parties.

[DLDahlie]

UA & US Airway have funded the DL organizing for years; AFA National will not award DL a "triple crown contract" because of their sacrifice. Our NWA colleagues are already wearing DL uniforms, serving DL product and finding themselves more on DL branded metal. They deserve DL branded pay as well, but a contract prevents this from happening. This "voice" happens every 7-9 years when a contract is ratified. We would not vote on all issues/side letters/contract amendments. My $43 to 401K not afa!

[zenseo]

Pre-merger NW attendants won't find themselves on DL metal until next May, earliest. DL branded pay is still not industry standard and along with NW is amongst the lowest cost per unit mile. You can blame AFA for that, or you can blame BK/management. Who do you blame for the plunge Delta took?

Since Delta management respects our right to choose representation and since Delta-AFA negotiators will be made up of Delta FA's, this will be a swift process. Mutual respect.

[DLDahlie]

Respect indeed & all of us are entitled to our opinions, including yours to be pro union. However, I so wish my NWA colleagues would consider "union free" for a season. If representation were to be in our future, WE would do much better with an "in house" union vs. the failing franchise of afa. Why are so many of the NWA afa leadership bailing? UA is almost on life support so we should not consider boarding the Titanic now, they need us more than we need afa. Strong company not strong contract!

[zenseo]

We pre-merger NW recognize too many faces on the Corporate Leadership Team, and Doug Steenland sitting on the Delta BOD. I respect the unique Delta culture, but one thing no so unique anymore is the executives leading Delta -- no longer from the ramp to CEO.

With the precarious state of our industry, let's protect our jobs and secure a contract and if an in-house union is preferred, we vote one in. Much easier than to try and organize 20,000 -- if that many remain.

[mspsky]

I'm a NW FA, but it seems many not all NW FA are just ready jump and attack DL. Why can't we first try to work with the DL & see how things go, we can always get a union in the future if things don't go well. Now that we are part of DL I hate it when the company does something nice for us & right away FA still attack by saying, "All they are trying to do is make us believe they are different then NW until we dont vote for a union, that's when we'll have a rude awaking."

[tacomadudefl]

We can't always just get a union in the future. Right now is the best chance we have of winning a union election for the combined flight attendants of the New Delta. Do you think a union is going to invest the time, money and resources into trying to organize our work group again in the future if we don't vote for Union representation this time? Besides, by that time your job might have been outsourced, and you wouldn't get a vote. Right now is our best chance of keeping a union.

[Flychick777]

How you haven't been able to negotiate "a world class contract" all these years WITH AFA? Do you REALLY think you will get the BEST work rules, etc. right out of the gate? Funny, DAL f/a's already have more vacation time than NWA f/as, our hourly pay is higher and WE DON'T pay dues!!!

[flybyday28]

Yes but what about overtime, what about sit time. In my day this would add up really quick. If we were actually getting paid for every hour of our time we would be making twice as much. We can and should be working together for much better conditions.

[Flychick777]

If we were actually paid for "every hour of our time?" I'm sorry but that is TOTALLY unrealistic in this environment of brutal competition, rising fuel costs, bankruptcies, etc. "We would be making twice as much?" imho, AFA activists are delusional. I DO work together with MY company for "better conditions!" It's called a J.O.B. Are you aware of furlough announcements at AA & US Air? Trust me, more are on the way.  Gee, & they HAVE a CONTRACT! Wake up people! Read the newspaper!

[swanez]

We are a World Class Airline that DESERVES a World Class Contract!!

[ProDeltaProAFA]

This is so exciting - Yes We Can negotiate a world class contract for ourselves! Pro-Delta, Pro-AFA, Pro-Flight Attendant!