Dear Fellow Pilot:
As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to provide you with a brief recap of the Nov. 14-17 Regular MEC Meeting and an update on negotiations. We are nearing what could be the end-game of our contract negotiations, and we should know shortly whether management is ready to come to the table with serious closing proposals. It is not lost on any of us that we are approaching the three-year anniversary of our contract’s amendable date.
Much of last week’s MEC meeting was spent in closed session receiving briefings from the Negotiating Committee (NC). As outlined in Negotiators’ Notepad 22-06, ALPA and the Company made significant progress the week of November 7, now having closed 22 of 28 sections of our PWA; however, the large economic items remain on the table.
I want to thank you for your unity that has clearly helped move negotiations in the right direction. Your solidarity on the strike authorization ballot, the culmination of many months of visible displays of unity, provided the NC with much-needed leverage. Now that we are down to high-value items, we will determine whether management’s definition of an industry-leading agreement is even close to what’s needed. We will accept nothing less than the contract we have earned.
It is important to note that the National Mediation Board (NMB) controls the timeline for continued bargaining or a potential release to self-help -- not ALPA or Delta management. Thanks to your resolve, management has stated its desire to reach an agreement by year’s end. To facilitate this timeline, Delta CEO Ed Bastian has directed Delta President Glen Hauenstein to get directly involved in talks.
To that end, next week the NC, along with your elected union representatives and the MEC administration, will travel to North Carolina where mediated talks will be held. They will be in place to receive timely updates on negotiations and give direction, if needed. While we remain skeptical that management will bring proposals to close out these protracted talks, we must do our due diligence and be prepared for any outcome, including an Agreement in Principle (AIP). If we receive anything less than serious proposals, we will let management know that they have either misjudged, or underestimated, our collective frustration and resolve. We will not let our guard down over the holiday season or be lulled into complacency. Make no mistake, we remain ready to strike, if necessary, to achieve our contractual goals.
Keep in mind that there’s significant media interest about our negotiations. We continue to respond to these inquiries as contract talks approach the holidays. Additionally, speculation and conjecture are rampant on social media. Please review news headlines and online posts with heavy skepticism and trust your MEC will provide timely and accurate information.
In closing, I want to congratulate the newly-elected MEC officers who take office on January 1, 2023, as well as thank all pilots who stepped up to run. We are at a pivotal time in our history and are fortunate to have extremely talented members who are willing to serve. The current MEC administration will remain focused on contract negotiations and be available to the new officers to ensure there’s a smooth, seamless transition.
While I know many of you will be flying during this week to get our customers to their destinations safely, I sincerely hope you all are able to find time to enjoy the holiday with your families and friends.
Happy Thanksgiving!
In solidarity,