Delta AFA Flight Attendant Hotline 2/5/2007
Today is Monday, February 5th, 2007 and this is an updated hotline message for all Delta flight attendants. SLC based flight attendant and AFA activist Marianne Bicksler reporting...
Standing Up for Ourselves -- With Professionalism
On Tuesday, January 30 a letter was sent to Paulette Corbin from a group of flight attendants asking for correction of misinformation concerning protection that Delta flight attendants would have during a merger if they didn’t have a contract.
I personally know many of the flight attendants that signed their names to this letter and I want to make it clear that this group is not a bunch of rabble rousers or trouble makers. They are exemplary flight attendants who have worked under many capacities with this company.
The fact is that these flight attendants are a very “Pro Delta” group. We all have a vested interest in seeing this company not only survive, but flourish on the other side of bankruptcy. We also know that our peers and flying partners are an integral part of the future success of this company. Management knows this also and have stated it many times.
However, sometimes the things that are said and the actions that follow are in conflict. For instance, we were told to keep focused and continue to offer the customer service and safety that Delta is famous for, but we were also informed of merger protections that weren’t actually factual. During the time that US Airways was attempting a hostile take-over the stress of not knowing what could happen to our investment in Delta was taking focus away from the things we needed to be doing.
Taking Care of Each Other - Putting Flight Attendants First
As I meet flight attendants nation-wide it becomes clearer that we are a group that has a lot in common. We all understand the nature of this career no matter which wings we wear on our uniform.
When we all take care of each other, whether it be at our individual carrier or as an industry, we all win. To know that there is someone to “watch our back” allows us to worry less about details of the career and industry and let’s us focus on our jobs. Safety and service wins when flight attendants have these assurances foremost in their minds.
Here in Salt Lake City we have displayed this concern for our peers through a charitable organization called “Wings in Need”. It was modeled after “Ladies Day” in New Orleans. It helps flight attendants that suffer from temporary hardship or setbacks. There is peace of mind in knowing that your peers care about you. In fact, that has been a wonderful lesson I have learned about AFA - there are so many flight attendants in the organization that truly do care about the well-being of their fellow flight attendants -- regardless of the uniform we wear.
An AFA Contract Provides Security and Increases Professionalism
Collective representation as AFA members could further this thinking into a mindset that would remove many of the stressful distractions that arise from not knowing our future in a merger, not feeling like our work rules are as fair as they can be or that our seniority is being properly applied to our monthly scheduling practices. These are all things that a legally binding contract could achieve. Adding our voice to the decision-making process can release some of the distractions that hinder the quality of our job performance.
It is not our goal to radically change the culture at Delta airlines, but rather to inspire our management that the old feeling of having to fight against our collective representation is contrary to Delta's ability to grow and evolve. We want our executives to recognize that as we mature in our current profession, we are not only wiser, we are also more invested in our future. We think it's time to bring that collective message to the table for the benefit of Delta flight attendants and for the survival of our company.
Today, we ask you to join us. Please join the campaign and send in your AFA card. Most importantly, continue to show our management that we are among the finest flight attendants in our industry and we deserve a voice in our future. I thank your for your help and support, and your peers will thank you too.
That’s this week’s hotline message, listen next week for a new message and take care of each other on the line.
-- To Listen To The Hotline, Call 1-800-424-2401, Press 1 Then 720 # --
|
