How far behind are we without union representation? Plenty.
So far, in fact, that any undisclosed pay increase for what’s left of 2019 would STILL leave us trailing unionized airline employees in healthcare costs, 401(k) benefits, OJI rights, sick time accrual, pension accumulation, overtime calculations, and disciplinary processes.
And If Delta does give us a pay increase, it is only because they were forced by the overwhelming worldwide support that our IAM-Delta campaign has garnered.
As that list shows, money isn’t everything. But it’s not nothing! We’d gladly take any announced pay bump so we can start there when we negotiate as union members.
What we have can’t be taken away, even a 15% base pay increase! Awesome, right? Unless we fail to gain representation. We need to win an election first.
When the airline industry takes an economic hit, unionized workgroups will plan what’s best and what’s next for their members. Those of us without a contract will get exactly what is best for shareholders and executives, a dramatically different tale of the tape.
Don’t fall behind on your IAM authorization card. Renew it today so we can begin building a strong IAM contract that propels the industry’s best flight attendants to our personal best.
Unlimited swapping! Flexible hours! Paid personal time you can use WHENEVER!
It all sounds fabulous.
But management’s refusal to hire the number of flight attendants required to run a world-class airline has created an unrelenting, decade-long “operational need” that continues to assign over 90 hours at bid run, cap most days, reroute into off days, and deny hard earned PPT.
Staffing will never keep pace with flying unless upper management is required to provide it. The Delta difference of running on skeleton crew is restricting our flexibility.
Staffing requirements are a key component of any airline contract. When we negotiate, we will disincentive understaffing, and decide what constitutes extreme operational difficulty. Specific, agreed-upon conditions must be met before IROP processes approved by our union are put into play by scheduling.
Totally random ends with a contract. And it starts with signing an IAM Card.
Delta workers Masayo Tyner and Andy Hamilton joined IAM International President Bob Martinez in addressing attendees at the AFL-CIO’s “Labor Briefing” to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) yesterday and shared their experiences about Delta’s continuous assault on workers’ rights at the carrier.
Tyner, a 12-year Delta flight attendant based in Detroit, educated the audience on Delta’s heavy-handed efforts to prevent Delta workers from attaining the right to vote on IAM representation. She spoke eloquently describing how flight attendants who support unionization are routinely targeted and terminated by Delta management. Tyner told a shocked audience about how a pro-union single mother of five was placed on an 18-month “last chance” probation by Delta management after being absent from work due to cancer and then being terminated for an ensuing small infraction.
Hamilton, a four year “ready-reserve” ramp worker spoke of similar anti-worker treatment and told attendees how tough it is for him to meet his financial obligations due to Delta capping the hours he can work, offering no health insurance and the limited opportunity to gain full-time employment.
AFL-CIO President Rich Trumpka reiterated the support of the 12 million plus AFL-CIO for the IAM Delta campaigns and demanded that presidential candidates level the playing field to make forming a union easier and free from interference.
DNC Chairman Tom Perez addressed the attendees and stated he was inspired by Masayo and Andy’s comments and urged them and their co-workers to keep fighting for IAM representation.
The AFL-CIO Labor Briefing was organized so the DNC could hear directly from workers and their unions about the issues that matter most to them. The IAM invited Delta workers because of the Machinists Union’s commitment to fight for workers to organize free from company interference.
