|
|
Vicious Truths – Delta F/A e-mail Newsletter #7 June 10, 2001 BUDDY PASS BASHING
Pro-afa F/As appear to be criticizing
our buddy pass benefit because Delta makes money on it - “$41 million for
2000. Not bad!!!” We have no idea whether this is accurate or whether
they’ve just made it up, but it doesn’t matter because complaining about
buddy passes is like office workers complaining about getting another holiday
because they’ll lose two coffee breaks.
Pro-afa F/As who are upset because Delta profits from buddy passes, can
refuse them and, for example, have their relatives pay full fare. That’ll show
Delta! A Tuesday, June 5th afa e-mail headed “Delta and Continental reported in merger talks” was obviously intended to stir up fear of an imminent merger. It went on to quote a June 5 Associated Press story saying Delta and Continental “reportedly have begun talks about a merger in which Continental would acquire the much larger Delta.” The article went on to say “The discussions are very informal,” “in the very early stage,” and “Both Delta and Continental said they prefer to stay independent, but would consider a merger or some other alliance if competitors’ mergers are approved,” The afa conveniently failed to mention the year in which this “June 5” story appeared. One of its quotes tells us – “Last month, American Airlines agreed to acquire financially ailing Trans World Airlines.” That was in 2000, not this year! Sending it out on June 5th of this year was obviously an attempt to frighten F/As by making us think merger talks are currently in progress. This is another example of how the afa will say anything, no matter how misleading, outrageous, or deceitful to lure us into its clutches. We very seriously doubt that Delta, Continental or Northwest have held merger talks lately. Why? Because the prospect of United’s purchase of US Airways being approved is remote and growing less likely by the day.
We think Michael Boyd’s suggestion that United is “looking for a face-saving way out of the deal” is right on for several reasons – 1) United’s offer is for $60 per share and US Airways’ stock has plummeted to under $24 (with US Airways losing money, $30 per share would be generous), 2) other unions are clamoring for raises like United gave the pilots to get their support for the merger, 3) horrendous seniority integration battles loom, 4) rising fuel costs and declining business are seriously impacting the profitability of both airlines. MEANWHILE….
“Seeing continued turbulence
ahead in labor-management relations, pilots at United are contemplating
another union-led stock purchase to gain decisive control of the world’s
second largest carrier…” So
sayeth Crain’s Chicago Business. Incidentally, in the article, Rick Dubinski, chairman of the
Air Line Pilots Assn. (ALPA) Master Executive Council at United is quoted as
saying, “Nobody likes working here, and that’s the problem.” Thanks
for the insight Mr. D. Union
pushers here at Delta are always cackling about how great everything is at
United because F/As there are represented by the afa.
You’ve certainly dispelled that misguided notion.
Bye the way, we wish all the unions at United luck in your endeavor to
take over the company. If the merger doesn’t miraculously re-emerge and kill
United, union infighting, bickering and control certainly will. STICKING
POINT IN AMERICAN F/A NEGOTIATIONS
Dallas, June 6 (Reuters) – “American
Airlines has said it is offering an industry-leading contract, but the union has
said the proposed base pay falls short of what Delta Air Lines pays its flight
attendants…” How far short?
“Union president John Ward last week said differences remain on salary,
minimum pay and health and life insurance, with a gap of about $200 million.” A
BREATH OF FRESH AIR – FROM A PRO-AFA F/A, NO LESS
Pro-afa F/As have been belly-aching
because our uniforms are similar to those of other Delta employees.
One of their own has taken issue with them.
She thinks there are other issues that can get F/As involved in the
afa’s drive, but she doesn’t buy their uniform complaints.
We think she is even embarrassed by them, but you can decide that for
yourself: “I’m still having a hard time with the wing issue. If a person from ACS ever decided to play flight attendant for a day, his/her name would not be on either the pre-departure or departure report, and of course, any f/a would question it. A call to scheduling could further verify, so I really don’t see it as being that much of a problem for safety or security. In a ground emergency, I wouldn’t be caring if it was cabin service, maintenance or a flight attendant…I’d be finding the first and closest person to help. As for mistaken identity, I can’t recall how many times I’ve been behind the gate podium in our old navy blue uniforms to get a pre-departure report, and some passenger began asking questions about seats or what have you. The fact is, if people have questions, they only look for a uniform...they don’t look close enough to see if it’s a f/a or other personnel.” It’s refreshing to find a pro-afa F/As who isn’t doing her darndest to prove P. T. Barnum was right. |
|
Send mail to webmaster@deltafa.org with
questions or comments about this web site.
|