Today, the United pilots ratified their Tentative Agreement. Their new contract takes effect today. We congratulate our fellow United ALPA pilots for their accomplishments. Once again, pattern bargaining at ALPA carriers continues to advance the profession, with the United pilots building upon the hard work of the Delta pilots.

United TA Ratified; PWA Section 3 B. 5. Snap-Up Triggered
As United’s new contract establishes a higher hourly pay rate than the Delta Pilot Working Agreement (PWA), the “me too” clause in our contract has been triggered. All pay rate tables will be increased per Section 3 B. 5. of our PWA. The amount is calculated as follows:

• The highest Captain pay rate in the new UAL contract is compared to the highest pay rate in the Delta PWA.
• On a one-time basis, the composite hourly pay rates for all aircraft types will increase to match the percentage difference between the top Delta hourly rate of pay and the identified hourly rate at United.
• The percentage difference – plus an additional one percent – is applied to all Section 3 B. 2. pay tables.

After applying the above, all Delta pilot aircraft pay tables under Section 3 B. 2. will increase by approximately 2.012% on the date of signing of the United Pilot Agreement (UPA) – today, September 29. Click here to review the updated pay tables.

Contract Enforcement
I also want to provide a brief update on contract implementation issues. As stated in my August 16 Chairman’s Letter, ALPA is continuing to ensure management lives up to the agreement they signed with multiple grievances in the queue to be filed. We will continue to update you as grievances are filed, and remind every pilot that you are the first line of defense when it comes to the enforcement of our hard-earned PWA.

Significant changes took effect in the August and September bid periods, including enhancements to reroute. You can expect a Negotiators’ Notepad that has an in-depth look at reroute in the coming weeks. I know that transparency and timeliness of reroute pay is a significant issue. Pilots should not need an accounting degree to ensure we are paid properly and on time. I have brought this unacceptable process to the attention of the highest levels of the Delta executive team. They have assured us that automation of reroute pay is an IT priority. While we wait for these overdue changes to take place, the MEC committee structure is working with pilots to verify proper pay treatment for reroute events.

In closing, I want to congratulate our peers at United Airlines again. We wish them success as they implement their new collective bargaining agreement.