My Fellow Pilots,
It’s been a trying four years. We have just completed a contentious, comprehensive Section 6 negotiation that opened in 2019, was paused for two years during the midst of a global pandemic and resumed early last year. In the meantime, the pilot group stepped up, flying record amounts of overtime in what was a whiplash recovery during the first half of 2022. To this day, we are still feeling the effects of the questionable staffing decisions coupled with the incredible demand for air travel. Despite the challenges, we continued to stay focused on operational safety and did not succumb to the numerous distractions that could have negatively impacted our role as Delta’s frontline leaders.
Your leadership, solidarity and invaluable displays of unity throughout negotiations culminated in not simply an industry-leading Pilot Working Agreement (PWA) but one that sets a standard by which all future agreements, industry-wide, will be measured for years to come.
Now, as we look beyond the horizon to a prosperous future for both the pilot group and the airline, I want to provide you with an update about what is most important to us all.
Contract Implementation
Contract implementation and enforcement are crucial next steps. This week, pursuant to our new PWA (LOA #23-01), you will receive your “One-time Payment” for calendar years 2020- 2022 as well as January 1 - March 1, 2023, and 16% DC contribution for 2023 months. It’s worth noting that while Delta signs our paychecks, it is your union that negotiates the value and benefits. This is the power of unionism and, without it, we would be subject to the ever-changing economic winds and demands of the shareholder’s bottom line. Never forget the intrinsic worth that we all provide for our Company and its ultimate success.
Many of the negotiated quality of life improvements require extensive programming and compliance. To this end, Delta management has committed to dedicating the resources needed to ensure implementation deadlines. ALPA subject matter experts will closely monitor the progress, and we will continue to hold management accountable as we enforce our agreement. If needed, we will not hesitate to use the grievance process.
Further contractual provisions will take effect this fall and into 2024. Detailed communications will be distributed as we near future implementation deadlines. Contract compliance requires a vigilant and educated pilot group. I encourage all of you to please take the time to read and review our new PWA. Moving forward, it is incumbent upon each of us to be the first line of defense in the enforcement of our contract.
Owning the Profession
Now that Section 6 negotiations are behind us, we find ourselves in a unique position relative to the rest of the industry. Our fellow pilots at United, FedEx, American, and Southwest are continuing to fight for their own industry-leading agreements. Our peers will benefit from the achievements we have garnered through hard work and dedication, and we are actively supporting them in their efforts. As a reminder, pattern bargaining advances the airline pilot profession for all.
Delta pilots project professionalism through our leadership on the flight deck and interactions with passengers and fellow employees. A new chapter is before us, and with that, I ask for your continued dedication to our union and our profession.