Let's Get Started

[Jeff]

My ALPA Friends,

Please help form a grassroots movement to transform Delta ALPA. We
need to find better ways to unite behind the vast talents of our
members. We can exponentially multiply our strengths by modernizing
and updating the way we communicate.

Communication is a two-way street. If given equal access to relevant,
non-proprietary information, pilots with a widely diverse background
will provide innovative and insightful ideas. Yet this information is
frequently withheld; decisions are made without the broad, intelligent
input readily available from the membership. Admittedly it is
difficult to collect, manage and utilize pilot input when the issues
are numerous, contentious and complex. Fortunately, the Internet age
has provided a wealth of communication and collaborative tools that
are revolutionizing organizations. ALPA needs to lead in this new
paradigm.

For example, did you know that LOA 18 (No Fly Lines) was being
negotiated? There was no mention of this negotiation until it was
signed. Consider this approach:

The MEC Administration receives notice from Delta Management of a
proposal for NFL's. The MEC is immediately notified using SMS
(messages sent to mobile devices), with amplifying info sent by
email. The negotiators make pertinent information from the company
and their archives available on a wiki website. Wiki's are
collaborative websites that allow multiple widely dispersed users to
work together on an idea or project. After the MEC has had time to
review the wiki (24 hours max), the Delta Pilots are notified of
management's proposal. This notification is done in a variety of
ways. An SMS message and email is sent to the small percentage of
pilots who want to know everything ASAP. They "opt-in" to this
system. This message is also duplicated on the DALPA website and
included in the weekly code-a-phone that goes out to all. Interested
pilots can join the collaborative wiki effort to study the
ramifications and build a response for the MEC to debate and vote
on. This wiki is moderated. Only serious suggestions and
observations are allowed. Venting and debaters posts are removed.
They can re-post them on the Forum, which is a more appropriate place
for commentary. The MEC then meets, uses the ideas and input built on
the wiki, decides the best course of action and votes. This debate
and vote is podcast and available either live or archived for anyone
who wants more insight into their decision making process. The
decision is again sent by SMS, email and the code-a-phone and posted
to the wiki.

This process can be used through out our union, including committee
work. Everyone is included. It's all open. All ideas are
considered. You can participate (or not) anytime, from anywhere in
the world. Our leaders debate and decide using much broader
resources. We trust the results because we see them and can
participate in them. We work together and unite!

I do not see anything remotely close to this scenario happening
without a broad-based push from the pilot group. I propose we work
together to start a grass roots effort to pass council resolutions
advocating:

• Web based meeting software to video-cast LEC, MEC and Committee
Meetings. Organizational changes must be made to facilitate this
reform.
• Secrecy - Review and modify with the goal of making available all
non-proprietary information to the membership.
• Use of communication tools such as SMS, Twitter, and other cutting
edge networking software to keep interested members well informed.
• Use of wiki type software to facilitate collaboration between the
paid volunteers and members in all areas including Safety, Scheduling,
Contract Negotiations and Communication.
• Complete the above in a cost neutral way while operating within US
law and the guidelines of Fair Representation.

We can change the culture of secrecy that permeates ALPA. Dues paying
Line Pilots are entitled to know and make input whenever the company
approaches the Union for any reason that impacts our pay or working
conditions. We need more widespread participation in all areas of our
union. Contract 2012 is around the corner.

This needs to be a non-partisan effort. This is not about
personalities (Master Chairman M. vs. former Master Chairman M.) or
politics (Red Book vs. Green Book). It will take time to make the
changes profound and permanent.

Lets start by building a broad coalition of pilots interested in
seeing these types of changes incorporated within our union. Lets
collaborate to incorporate your good ideas and knowledge. At some
point we would need to introduce Council Resolutions throughout our
system so that we can use the existing structure to move to an updated
one.

If you are interested in joining this effort, please let me know along
with your thoughts. Please pass this on to your friends. Let me
know if you have time or talent to offer. Let's get the conversation
started to transform our union.

Fraternally,

Jeff

Jeff Joslin
transf...@gmail.com