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| Atlanta, Georgia - With the threat of a 'Pilot Strike' looming large for one of America's largest air carriers, a number of key facts are missing on the radar. The public is being fed a 'party line' suggesting that Pilots must make allowances in order to keep the air line profitable. The Pilots as defined by management are key to the survivability of the entire corporation and ultimately the air transportation industry. And if this isn't enough to get you asking questions, what was anyone thinking, when a memo was sent out asking for employees to clean planes for free or "Delta After Dark", with the resultant remuneration defined as...you guessed it...you got the t-shirt!!!
On Wednesday April 12th, more than 500 Delta Air Lines Pilots joined together for a walk in solidarity on behalf of U.S. Employees across the country. Both Pilots and family members gathered to put a face on "Corporate Piracy" and its effect. The Pilots weren't there as a result of inconvenience or any minor loss. These employees unlike so many, have found the courage and decency, to stand tall for corporate accountability, but against lawless greed and corruption being imposed upon American Workers, like those creating Delta's long term success.
But isn't this the same company, that former CEO Leo Mullins, .went before Congress requesting funds in the wake of 9/11, to keep profitable? According to Mullins in 1998, Delta earned a record breaking 1 billion. So what happened to those funds provided by Congress or the record breaking profits? Mr. Mullins received a retirement which credited him with 25 years of work, added to the mere 6 years he actually worked at Delta. But wait, where is Mr. Mullins after his 6 year "career" and tidy retirement package; vacationing with Ken Lay** of Enron notoriety? Or perhaps, Mr. Mullins has joined other notable airline legends like Carl Icahn** OR Frank Lorenzo**, are busy in their counting houses, setup in an offshore location! Instead of the latest CEO, Mr. John Kennedy with a heavy British accent, acted as the company spokesperson, informing the Atlanta Media, a strike by the Pilots would be fatal to Delta Air Lines.
Let me make sure I understand this. The Pilots of Delta Air Lines in the last 14 months received a ½ cut in pay, which they agreed to, in order to keep the company profitable. Would you work or be able to support your family and/or obligations, while at a ½ pay? Additionally, their benefits were drastically reduced at an increased cost, while they were notified by the Pilot Group, employees in good standing, now have NO RETIREMENT, due to company raiding! But beyond all of those sacrifices and concessions made for the company, current Delta Air Lines Management is now asking for MO $money$ from its Pilots.
Enter the legal machine! When Delta's current management forced the company into the Bankruptcy Court, the standard legal volley of 'circle the wagons' ensued. Specifically, a company with no impact resulting from 9/11 was handed over to the courts and associated players. As you might imagine, legal costs quickly escalated. A Judge was immediately quoted making bias remarks, while refusing to be recused. Is Delta a functional organization whose management are handling corporate interests responsibly? Or has the company been infested by an epidemic, using legal parasites to bring about an ultimate and resounding demise to a once productive industry?
Funny thing though, the new amount now being demanded by management to keep the company solvent totals more than 300 MILLION DOLLARS. Wow, that figure is the exact amount currently being paid for the imposed 'legal process'. So, Management has defined this amount as an annual ransom to be garnered, on top of the $1 BILLION PER YEAR the pilots already gave up in December 2004, based upon managements assurance such a sacrifice would preclude Delta being involved in any bankruptcy matter. But bankruptcy came despite sacrifices. And like with those sacrificed or impacted by the events of 9/11, a select number of key players are profiting from Delta Employees sacrifices, to include Rudy Juliani's consulting service , to name one of many. And while politicians and lawyers are riding high on the legal pyramid, those who cemented the cornerstone of success, are being crushed and left for dust!
So what's the real deal? Well undeniably, there is no accountability in corporate America under the current administration. President Bush, when asked about constitutionality of spying on Americans stated, "I'm gonna leave it to the lawyers." And undeniably, that is where all America is being deposited. Men and women who work hard, achieve, and sacrifice are openly punished and robbed in broad daylight using judicial tools, similarly operating without review, redress, or rationale. Where will profiteering and globalization to the detriment of a nation end? For now, a group of talented and well trained professionals have stood outside Delta Air Lines General Offices, and successfully made a resounding stand that all America, must in kind demand.
NOTES:
**Enron ex-boss pleads 'not guilty' - Enron's ex-chairman says it was the finance chief's doings - Kenneth Lay has pleaded "not guilty" to 11 criminal charges over the collapse of the former US energy giant - BBC.co.uk - Thursday, 8 July 2004 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3875297.stm
**Carl Ican - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Icahn
**Frank Lorenzo - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Lorenzo
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Taffy Rice is the editor of Georgia Homeowners News |
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