My Fellow Pilots:
Early this morning, our fellow pilots at WestJet reached an Agreement in Principle (AIP) with their management after protracted negotiations, thus avoiding a strike. The 1,500 WestJet pilots have demonstrated unity and resolve during these challenging weeks as they prepared for the ultimate job action. We wish them the best as they evaluate their new agreement and put this difficult chapter behind them.
Today, we also learned that the American pilots reached an Agreement in Principle. More information will be forthcoming as details of their AIP become available. We congratulate the American pilots on the advancement of their contract negotiations.
Meanwhile, pilots at FedEx and Southwest have overwhelmingly approved strike ballots as they fight for a new contract. In addition, over 3,000 United pilots participated in the largest ever non-strike pilot picketing event as their pilot group seeks a contract after more than five years of negotiations. The coming weeks will be critical for our industry. The Delta MEC and our volunteer structure have and will continue to offer logistical support, lessons-learned and assistance to our fellow pilot groups. We were in their shoes just a few months ago, and our visible displays of solidarity and willingness to go the distance ultimately resulted in an industry-leading PWA. Although each pilot group’s priorities may vary, we share a common goal of collectively trying to advance the profession one contract at a time.
Scheduling Issues
ALPA continues to aggressively monitor and enforce our new contract. With the busiest flying season of the year now here, we are facing another summer of reroutes and other scheduling disruptions. Please review MEC Brief: Navigating Summer Flying to familiarize yourself with how to use contractual provisions in the PWA to maximize your scheduling flexibility.
An important issue ALPA is currently addressing is the Company’s repeated action of failing to provide bid packages five days before they are published – a provision clearly spelled out in our PWA. The intent of this provision is to allow our scheduling and fatigue SMEs time to review the rotations and give input before publication, as opposed to having the rotations adjusted post-bidding. This quality control process will better serve our pilots, as well as Delta Air Lines. We are beginning the grievance process.
Your union is about action and solutions. When we raise contract compliance issues, we provide management with a clear road map for how to get back into compliance and are ready with solutions that address pilot concerns. For example, the Rotation Construction Committee (RCC), Fatigue Risk Management Team (FRMT) and other ALPA SMEs will hold a rotation quality and construction roundtable with their company counterparts later this month. If the Company is willing to listen, this should be a problem-solving exercise that will yield benefits for both the pilot group and the Company. In the meantime, we will continue to utilize the grievance process as necessary.
Dealmaking
At last week’s MEC meeting, we discussed the issue of pilots calling Scheduling out of turn to take trips and making individual deals with the Company, which violates the coverage ladders in PWA Sections 23 N. and O. This impacts our fellow pilots by undermining the value of our PWA, abrogating seniority and potentially taking compensation away from a pilot who should have originally been assigned that trip. In Agenda Item 23-101, which passed unanimously, the MEC condemned “dealmaking” and directed an educational campaign on how such “dealmaking” harms the Delta pilots. A unified pilot group is a stronger pilot group. If you feel a pilot is dealmaking, reach out to your elected rep or Professional Standards at (855) 778-2637. Please also be cognizant of the fact that not every Inverse Assignment is the result of a pilot calling Scheduling to make a deal.
Make the Walk
Load factors are high and gate agents are under constant pressure for an on-time, or even early, departure, causing employees and their families to be left behind even though there are open seats in the cockpit and cabin. ALPA encourages captains to “Make the Walk” to ensure airplanes do not depart with empty seats. Some pilots have reported being contacted by their Chief Pilot for a delayed flight in which they asked the gate agents to code the delay as “P.” If this happens to you, please let your elected reps know. As frontline leaders, pilots control the pace of the operation. We should never feel rushed or under pressure. Exercise your captain’s authority; ALPA will back you.
Retirement Products
At last week’s meeting, your elected representatives received numerous briefings about retirement products. Educational communications on the Market Based Cash Balance Plan are forthcoming. Additionally, ALPA held initial meetings with Delta and MetLife in February to discuss a Group Variable Universal Life (GVUL) option that will be available within the next year and will consist of a two-step open enrollment process. Expect further information later this summer.
In closing, I ask that you stay focused on the safe operation of every flight, resist operational pressures and take care of yourself, fellow pilots, employees and our customers. More contractual provisions will be coming online this summer, with a bulk of changes going into effect on August 31 for the September bid period. Stay informed, stay engaged, remember that we own the contract and it is our responsibility to enforce it.