flaps60
Delta's current contract is from before 9/11
Furthermore Delta's contract is a result of MANAGEMENT's abuses.
The contract prior was VERY concessionary. They signed it at the height of the post first gulfwar recession. When the crisis passed and the pilots asked for a little relief (could they go back to the way things were on the previous contract) management reponded that "a contract is a contract." IOW thanks for giving in our time of need, but now that we are making billions go jump in a lake....
Then in the USA you can't strike when the contract expires (for aviation) the contract becomes "amendable" and a status quo goes into effect (striking requires a series of steps that takes about 3 years to get to). So the Delta management dragged out the negotiations for 3 years all the while forcing the pilots through to live with those concessions they had made to save the company when times were tough while Delta piled up billions after billions. In the meantime the United pilots scored a big contract (because of their management's ineptness) so now the bar went up dramatically.
Had Delta bargained in good faith the Delta pilots would be making half what they are making now and be reasonably happy.
But 3 years of screwing around with the pilots by Delta managment got them where they are today. Then when the game changed post 9/11 the pilots RIGHTLY said "a contract is a contract"
Companies get the unions they deserve. Union's don't happen in a vacuume.
And flaps to 60. Someone who crosses a picket line is a SCAB. He is a thief and no better than someone who robs a liquor store. He benefits from the work of the strikers without paying any of the dues. Its stealing, just like napster (for copyrighted works) and the thug with a gun and a ski mask.
Cheers
Wino