Home

updated 08/26/2008 9:30 AM

The Pocket Card…Read It…Wear It…In Solidarity!!
August 21, 2008

As we continue our efforts externally with this Delta organizing drive, we continue our efforts internally to bring to our own members at NWA all the needed information and happenings associated with our actions.
Some of you may have seen our first issued “pocket card.” These pocket cards contain a message or an issue that could possibly affect you when the proposed merger happens and when we at Northwest and Delta vote for our Union representation. The idea with these pocket cards is for obviously everyone to read them and be aware of the important issues and for everyone to discuss it and keep each other informed. The second idea is to wear this pocket card” in your pocket to show that you are informed, but also to show the Company and others that we are unified and that our SOLIDARITY is our strength.

Every other week a new pocket card will be issued containing a new issue or message. Your grievance committees and stewards should be distributing these cards as we issue them to your locations.

With every hurdle we jump with our external drive with the Delta employees, we find ourselves faced with another hurdle and another adversary. The National Mediation Board's attempt to now change the rules specifically to our situation, the Northwest/Delta merger only shows of the influence big business has within our government and departments of and the possible allowance of their proposed changes to even be enacted. These rule changes can only be viewed as an attack on us, the working men and women of the middle class, and mostly important on us as Union members and our efforts to grow our membership.

Brothers and Sisters, take notice now if you have not already. Our rights, our right to voice ourselves is being attacked, with this proposed merger they intend to do away with us as IAM Union members. Stay informed and talk about the issues. Make sure each of us all fully understand each and every issue we are facing. There is no more time for anyone to be complacent on anything anymore; your future depends on your involvement and soon your vote. Stay Informed….Wear The Pocket Card…In Solidarity

  

Pledge Your Support
June 20, 2008

District 143 has laid the plans for the external drive at Delta Air Lines. The plan includes all classifications related to both our COFPS and the ESSC contracts.  There is no group being excluded or ignored. Every group or classification is being given the attention it is required. If there is the need to heighten the attention to a particular group, we will do that. The next phase that is now being applied is the internal organizing side of this task at hand.

Why is this important? Because it must fully be understood by all of us at NWA that if we as the IAM-represented group, the other half of this puzzle, don’t take this seriously and fail to recognize that the blanket of Union representation in our industry can never be sacrificed or forfeited, then all our efforts made at organizing the Delta people will mean nothing and be for nothing. Everyone one of us must be sure of ourselves and completely understand that we will never allow the airline we will eventually end up working for govern our futures without a legally-binding, Union-negotiated contract. With that Union contract in place it allows us to have a say, and a voice as a group concerning your work rules and benefits.  Without it, you will be a “AT WILL” employee and be subject to the company’s guidelines without recourse. There will be no negotiations on issues, there will be no grievance process that will allow you to have the Company reconsider issues that may affect you. Simply, it will be their way.

You will see in the coming days your internal organizers asking you to sign your pledge card. This pledge card is a show of your support, and when that time comes to vote you understand that your Union rights will never be given up, and you will be voting UNION YES!

This effort of internal organizing must remain a topic of discussion in all the break rooms and when all time permits. All of our Union brothers and sisters have to be looking in each others' eyes and pledge their support for each other. We senior employees who have sacrificed and been through the struggles must make sure all of our new employees know the history and the sacrifices we have made. They must know that our sacrifices included them, and our fight for fairness is to benefit them as well.

The process of signing this pledge card is face-to-face. Take the time to discuss any matters you may have.  The internal organizers will answer any questions and if the answer is incomplete then they should get the correct answer for you. Whatever may be the topic of discussion, the main focus and understanding each of us should have is that our right to have a say and our blanket of Union protection will never be forfeited or compromised.

Again, I have said it before. “Everyone is an Organizer.” This pledge card process is an opportunity for everyone to get involved and contribute. This organizing drive is a drive of survival. There should be no doubt or wavering by any of us when it comes to this issue.

VOTE UNION…VOTE YES….VOTE IAM!

Know Your Rights As We Organize ... It's the Law
July 15, 2008

Recently in a city up-state, while passing out A-Cards to Delta employees along with other requested material, I had a few conversations with Delta employees concerning some behavior that Delta management and some supervisors have been displaying towards them in regards to this IAM organizing drive. Some employees told of how in their briefings, managers and/or supervisors are trying to discourage their efforts and/or goals in this campaign. They open up the floor for conversation and ask specific employees their opinion and try to get information on their personal feelings and how they are going to vote when that time comes.

I witnessed employees being afraid to take material and A-Cards because a supervisor or manager was within sight. However, what I also witnessed was a show of courage and determination by these employees; that once they parked their car, they walked back to us for the information and their A-Card, and when they drove home after working their shift, they handed me their signed and filled out A-Card.

We know and you should too, that Delta will fight us and try to tell you things to discourage us in our efforts. Most of you have already experienced this rhetoric and have said enough is enough! That ’s why I am voting for the IAM.

When you are in these briefings, and you're asked these questions, refrain from giving them any information and understand that you have rights under the federal law that protects you as we organize ourselves. Management cannot ask you how you are going to vote and supervisors cannot intimidate, coerce or interfere with you in any way. If you feel that your rights have been violated at any time during this IAM organizing drive, contact your IAM representative and/or the organizers you see in your cities and report it immediately.

There are resources available to you to help you fully understand your rights. Go to www.goiamnow.org and click on that link, “Know Your Rights.” This link will explain fully your rights, and what the Company cannot do.

You can read specific items that pertain to this IAM Delta Organizing Drive, and you can sign up for up-to-date email messages. It will only take a few minutes of your time to get the needed information on the issues at hand, and the issues that will affect you and your family’s future.

The time has come for issues such as benefits, pensions, and work rules to be defined in a legal binding contract between the IAM, which will represent you with these matters, and Delta Airlines. Issues like these can no longer be available to Delta management to change or modify at their discretion like it says in their Delta Policy Handbook.

Think about it: Your Future. Your Vote. Sign The Card……Vote The IAM

Welcome To The IAM

You have taken the first step towards a better life for you and your family by seeing what the IAM can do for you.

The IAM represents workers across North America, ensuring their right to power in the workplace. That power is demonstrated in guaranteed paychecks and pay increases, defined work rules and solid representation.

For more than 100 years, the IAM has fought for workers' rights and the benefits so often taken for granted — benefits like sick pay, leaves of absence, bereavement leave, holidays, vacations, retirement security and health care.

Organizing a Union in your workplace also strengthens the movement for social justice. In these difficult times workers and their families benefit from solidarity and the powerful voice it can raise when programs like Social Security are threatened.