Alaska Airlines

Home Agent Test Program
On May 5, 2008 District 143 received communications from Alaska Airlines management in response to the Union’s letter dated April 25, 2008 wherein we gave proper notification to Alaska Airlines stating that District 143 could no longer support the Home Agent Test Program.

The Alaska Airlines letter states, “The program will remain in place pursuant to the status quo provisions of the Railway Labor Act.”  Both parties acknowledge that there seems to be a fundamental disagreement about the status of the Home Agent Test Program, and the ability to continue such program especially when both parties agreed in writing on January 9, 2007 in a letter stated, “The union must agree to such a future program;” therefore, District 143 is fully prepared to grieve the Company’s decision to blatantly renege on our original agreement and pursue legal action against Alaska Airlines if they are unwilling to comply with the original terms and conditions of the January 9, 2007 letter.

District 143 has contacted Alaska Airlines in order to establish a meeting date and time to further discuss our disagreement.  Once a meeting has been established we will advise the membership.

Northwest Airlines

NWA-DAL Merger
Throughout this past week the top executives of both Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines continued on their “Synergies” tour promoting how wonderful a merged carrier would be for everyone.  On May 5, 2008 Delta’s Chief Financial Officer Ed Bastian was called upon to testify at the Minnesota State House, as well as the Minnesota State Senate.

During these hearings we once again heard a very well-scripted testimony about how “this is a merger of addition and not of subtraction,” but then Mr. Bastian contradicted his own testimony when he was asked about the number of jobs that would be lost at NWA World Headquarters.  Mr. Bastian also boasted about how Delta Airlines has never had a strike in its history – probably because the only union on the Delta property is the Air Line Pilots Association Mr. Bastian!

Then it was off to Washington D.C. for the next “Synergies” tour stop on May 7, 2008.  Both Richard Anderson and Doug Steenland testified at the Senate Russell Building.  GVP Robert Roach was also there to testify on our behalf as well as to offer rebuttal remarks to the CEO’s testimony.  Also present was Patricia Friend, Association of Flight Attendants International President who openly spoke about Delta’s anti-unionization efforts towards her organization.

District 143 would like to remind all members that the next hearing is set to take place in Washington, D.C. on May 14, 2008 at Rayburn House Office Building – 2:00 pm.  We ask everyone who is readily available to attend in uniform.  “Our membership’s participation throughout these hearings only reinforces our commitment to each other, as well as our families.  When the legislators look out into the galleries they recognize our vested interest throughout this process,” stated President/Directing General Chair Stephen Gordon.