The President's Report
by Tony Gibson
It has been approximately 90 days for below the wing, and approximately 60 days for above the wing since the outcome for union representation was determined on the Delta property. For all of you that voted no, has Delta fulfi lled its promises to you? Was the loss of a collective bargaining agreement truly worth the pennies per hour put back into your check now that you no longer have to pay union dues? Has delta come through on the increase in wages they said they would give you if you were not union? or, Have you seen more promises and excuses from the Company that you trusted so readily? How much has really changed? How much will truly change if our petition on your behalf is denied? Lots of questions have been asked, with very few answers. I want to be clear with each of you on the Delta property—if the petition is upheld, it will be incumbent upon you to make the right choices for yourself and your family.Continued...
by Chuck Justin, Editor, The Transporter
In recent data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics full time union workers median usual weekly earnings averaged $917 per week compared to $717 a week for non-union workers. Over and over again it is proven that being part of a union increases a person's overall wages and benefits. With that in mind, I cannot understand the willingness of many our union brothers and sisters to discard this proof, and vote to eliminate their union representation on the job.
Since the representation votes, many rumors and much hearsay has been thrown around the workplace. The worry and stress over this speculation has become intense by many, as they try to figure out exactly what Delta will do now that the union has been voted out of the workplace. And, most of it is just that—speculation. There are many things that we do know will take place if in the end we truly become non-union. The real truth is that without a union and a collective bargaining agreement to protect us they can do whatever they want within the law. State and federal statutes are very scant and weak. Continued...
ARE YOU BETTER OFF?
by Tony GibsonIt has been approximately 90 days for below the wing, and approximately 60 days for above the wing since the outcome for union representation was determined on the Delta property. For all of you that voted no, has Delta fulfi lled its promises to you? Was the loss of a collective bargaining agreement truly worth the pennies per hour put back into your check now that you no longer have to pay union dues? Has delta come through on the increase in wages they said they would give you if you were not union? or, Have you seen more promises and excuses from the Company that you trusted so readily? How much has really changed? How much will truly change if our petition on your behalf is denied? Lots of questions have been asked, with very few answers. I want to be clear with each of you on the Delta property—if the petition is upheld, it will be incumbent upon you to make the right choices for yourself and your family.Continued...
The No Votes Have It—But Do They Really?
by Chuck Justin, Editor, The Transporter In recent data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics full time union workers median usual weekly earnings averaged $917 per week compared to $717 a week for non-union workers. Over and over again it is proven that being part of a union increases a person's overall wages and benefits. With that in mind, I cannot understand the willingness of many our union brothers and sisters to discard this proof, and vote to eliminate their union representation on the job.
Since the representation votes, many rumors and much hearsay has been thrown around the workplace. The worry and stress over this speculation has become intense by many, as they try to figure out exactly what Delta will do now that the union has been voted out of the workplace. And, most of it is just that—speculation. There are many things that we do know will take place if in the end we truly become non-union. The real truth is that without a union and a collective bargaining agreement to protect us they can do whatever they want within the law. State and federal statutes are very scant and weak. Continued...
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Article Policy:
Local Lodge 141 reserves the right to edit all submissions. No portion of these articles may be reproduced without the expressed written permission from Detroit Air Transport Local Lodge 141.
Articles submitted by name are the viewpoints of the author, and are not neccessarily those of Detroit Air Transport Local Lodge 141.
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I shall leave this letter unsigned. Not because I'm not proud of who I am, but because I don't trust you...
I know our relationship has been strained over the years, but it seems to be getting worse instead of improving. I have shaken your hand, yet when I try to give you a loving hug you pull away. You say you care about all of us, but your actions tell me otherwise.
You have spoken over the
past few years about uniting
our "family", yet you treat me so
much different than my cousins
down south. I looked forward to
having a better holiday season
last year, and sharing it with my
friends and family. Again, you
didn't deliver.I was tempted to turn the thermostat up a bit this winter, but there is only so much money to go around to cover everything. I just donned another sweater, and few more blankets. I contemplated buying a new car in the future, but in the interim I bought two tires for my old beater. What gives with this sharing the wealth thing? You gave me 3%, but my cousins got 6%. So you see what I mean about your liking them better than me.
You talk about cherry picking, along with your dislike and resolve never to do it. Michigan has a cherry festival each year in Traverse City. We love cherries, cherry pies, cherry ice cream, and all things cherry. I encourage you to come up and pick some. You'd be surprised how much better you will feel after doing so. Finally, I will never forget when you abandoned us. We were together once before, but you ran away, thinking you were going to fi nd fame and fortune with some health care company. I'm sure they compensated you well during your short tenure there. Were you salesman of the year when you sold 40,000 or so health insurance policies?
I think you are getting to old to do this anymore. Consider retirement the next time you leave. Enjoy yourself for a change. You very much remind of an actor from one of my favorite movies—The Wizard of Oz. Remember when Dorothy, and her friends were in the castle in Oz, and there was an image of the wizard talking to them? Then Dorothy's little dog Toto tugged on the curtains revealing the Wizard. "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain" he commanded. You also project an image, yet hide behind a curtain. You may believe we are all like Dorothy's friends, with no heart, no courage, and no brains. I for one have all three, and I am paying strict attention to the man behind the curtain. And, I know exactly what you are up to.
I shall leave this letter unsigned. Not because I'm not proud of who I am, but because I don't trust you, Gilbert, or any of your other underlings. I don't want to undermine your efforts to make us one big happy family. Don't send any witches or fl ying monkeys after me—they don't scare me either.