All posts by Bradley M. Kuhn

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

2019-05-10 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/05/10/delta-union-busting.html

We create, develop, document and collaborate as users of Free and Open
Source Software (FOSS) from around the globe, usually by working remotely
on the Internet. However, human beings have many millennia of evolution
that makes us predisposed to communicate most effectively via in-person
interaction. We don’t just rely on the content of communication, but its
manner of expression, the body language of the communicator, and thousands
of different non-verbal cues and subtle communication mechanisms. In fact,
I believe something that’s quite radical for a software freedom activist to
believe: meeting in person to discuss something is always better
than some form of online communication. And this belief is why I attend so
many FOSS events, and encourage (and work in my day job to support)
programs and policies that financially assist others in FOSS to attend
such events.

When I travel, Delta Airlines often works out to be the best option for my
travel: they have many international flights from my home airport (PDX),
including a daily one to AMS in Europe — and since many
FOSS events are in Europe, this has worked out well.

Admittedly, most for-profit companies that I patronize regularly engage in
some activity that I find abhorrent. One of the biggest challenges of
modern middle-class life in an industrialized soceity is figuring out
(absent becoming a Thoreau-inspired recluse) how to navigate one’s comfort
level with patronizing companies that engage in bad behaviors. We all have
to pick our own boycotts and what vendors we’re going to avoid.

I realize that all the commercial airlines are some of the worst
environmental polluters in the world. I realize that they all hire
union-busting law firms to help them mistreat their workers. But,
Delta
Airlines recent PR campaign to frighten their workers about unions was
one dirty trick too far.

I know unions can be inconvenient for organizational leadership; I
actually have been a manager of a workforce who unionized while I was an
executive. I personally negotiated that union contract with staff. The
process is admittedly annoying and complicated. But I fundamentally
believe it’s deeply necessary, because workers’ rights to collectively
organize and negotiate with their employers is a cornerstone of equality
— not just in the USA but around the entire world.

Furthermore, the Delta posters are particularly offensive because they
reach into the basest problematic instinct in humans that often becomes our
downfall: the belief that one’s own short-term personal convenience and
comfort should be valued higher than the long-term good of our larger
communityf. It’s that instinct that causes us to litter, or to shun public
transit and favor driving a car and/or calling a ride service.

We won’t be perfect in our efforts to serve the greater good, and
sometimes we’re going to selfishly
(say) buy
a video game system with money that could go to a better cause. What’s
truly offensive, and downright nefarious here, is that Delta Airlines
— surely in full knowledge of the worst parts of some human instincts
— attempted to exploit that for their own profit and future ability
to oppress their workforce.

As a regular Delta customer (both personally, and through my employer when
they reimburse my travel), I had to decide how to respond to this act
that’s beyond the pale. I’ve decided on the following steps:

I’ve written the following statement via Delta’s complaint form:

I am a Diamond Medallion (since 2016) on Delta, and I’ve flown
more than 975,000 miles on Delta since 2000. I am also a (admittedly
small) shareholder in Delta myself (via my retirement savings
accounts).

I realize that it is common practice for your company (and indeed
likely every other airline) to negotiate hard with unions to get the
best deal for your company and its shareholders. However, taking the
step to launch what appears to be a well-funded and planned PR
campaign to convince your workers to reject the union and instead
spend union dues funds on frivolous purchases instead is a
despicable, nefarious strategy. Your fiduciary duty to your
shareholders does not mandate the use of unethical and immoral
strategies with your unionizing labor force — only that you
negotiate in good faith to get the best deal with them for the
company.

I demand that Delta issue a public apology for the posters. Ideally,
such an apology should include a statement by Delta indicating that
you believe your workers have the right to unionize and should take
seriously the counter-arguments put forward by the union in favor
of union dues and each employee should decide for themselves what is
right.

I’ve already booked my primary travel through the rest of the year, so
I cannot easily pivot away from Delta quickly. This gives you some
time to do the right thing. If Delta does not apologize publicly for
this incident by November 1st, 2019, I plan to begin avoiding Delta
as a carrier and will seek a status match on another airline.

I realize that this complaint email will likely primarily be read by
labor, not by management. I thus also encourage you to do
two things: (a) I hope you’ll share this message, to the extent you are
permitted under your employment agreement, with your coworkers. Know
that there are Diamond Medallions out here in the Delta system who
support your right to unionize. (b) I hope you escalate this matter
up to management decision-makers so they know that regular customers
are unhappy at their actions.
Given that I’m already booked on many non-refundable Delta flights in
the coming months, I would like to make business-card-sized flyers that say
something like: I’m a Delta frequent flyer & I support a unionizing
workforce. and maybe on the other side: Delta should apologize for
the posters. It would be great if these had some good graphics or
otherwise be eye-catching in some way. The idea would be to give them out
to travelers and leave them in seat pockets on flights for others to find.
If anyone is interested in this project and would like to help, email me
— I have no graphic design skills and would appreciate help.
I’m encouraging everyone
to visit Delta’s
complaint form and complain about this. If you’ve flown Delta before
with a frequent flyer account, make sure you’re logged into that account
when you fill out the form — I know from experience their system
prioritizes how seriously they take the complaint based on your past
travel.
I plan to keep my DAL stock shares until the next annual meeting, and
(schedule-permitting), I plan to attend the annual meeting and attempt to
speak about the issue (or at least give out the aforementioned business
cards there). I’ll also look in to whether shareholders can attend
earnings calls to ask questions, so maybe I can do something of this nature
before the next annual meeting.

Overall, there is one positive outcome of this for me personally: I am
renewed in my appreciation for having spent most of my career working for
charities. Charities in the software freedom community have our problems,
but nearly everyone I’ve worked with at software freedom charities
(including management) have always been staunchly pro-union. Workers have
a right to negotiate on equal terms with their employers and be treated as
equals to come to equitable arrangements about working conditions and
workplace issues. Unions aren’t perfect, but they are the only way to
effectively do that when a workforce is larger than a few people.

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

2019-05-10 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/05/10/delta-union-busting.html

I’ve written the following statement via Delta’s complaint form:

I am a Diamond Medallion (since 2016) on Delta, and I’ve flown
more than 975,000 miles on Delta since 2000. I am also a (admittedly
small) shareholder in Delta myself (via my retirement savings
accounts).

I realize that it is common practice for your company (and indeed
likely every other airline) to negotiate hard with unions to get the
best deal for your company and its shareholders. However, taking the
step to launch what appears to be a well-funded and planned PR
campaign to convince your workers to reject the union and instead
spend union dues funds on frivolous purchases instead is a
despicable, nefarious strategy. Your fiduciary duty to your
shareholders does not mandate the use of unethical and immoral
strategies with your unionizing labor force — only that you
negotiate in good faith to get the best deal with them for the
company.

I demand that Delta issue a public apology for the posters. Ideally,
such an apology should include a statement by Delta indicating that
you believe your workers have the right to unionize and should take
seriously the counter-arguments put forward by the union in favor
of union dues and each employee should decide for themselves what is
right.

I’ve already booked my primary travel through the rest of the year, so
I cannot easily pivot away from Delta quickly. This gives you some
time to do the right thing. If Delta does not apologize publicly for
this incident by November 1st, 2019, I plan to begin avoiding Delta
as a carrier and will seek a status match on another airline.

I realize that this complaint email will likely primarily be read by
labor, not by management. I thus also encourage you to do
two things: (a) I hope you’ll share this message, to the extent you are
permitted under your employment agreement, with your coworkers. Know
that there are Diamond Medallions out here in the Delta system who
support your right to unionize. (b) I hope you escalate this matter
up to management decision-makers so they know that regular customers
are unhappy at their actions.
Given that I’m already booked on many non-refundable Delta flights in
the coming months, I would like to make business-card-sized flyers that say
something like: I’m a Delta frequent flyer & I support a unionizing
workforce. and maybe on the other side: Delta should apologize for
the posters. It would be great if these had some good graphics or
otherwise be eye-catching in some way. The idea would be to give them out
to travelers and leave them in seat pockets on flights for others to find.
If anyone is interested in this project and would like to help, email me
— I have no graphic design skills and would appreciate help.
I’m encouraging everyone
to visit Delta’s
complaint form and complain about this. If you’ve flown Delta before
with a frequent flyer account, make sure you’re logged into that account
when you fill out the form — I know from experience their system
prioritizes how seriously they take the complaint based on your past
travel.
I plan to keep my DAL stock shares until the next annual meeting, and
(schedule-permitting), I plan to attend the annual meeting and attempt to
speak about the issue (or at least give out the aforementioned business
cards there). I’ll also look in to whether shareholders can attend
earnings calls to ask questions, so maybe I can do something of this nature
before the next annual meeting.

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

2019-05-10 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/05/10/delta-union-busting.html

I’ve written the following statement via Delta’s complaint form:

I am a Diamond Medallion (since 2016) on Delta, and I’ve flown
more than 975,000 miles on Delta since 2000. I am also a (admittedly
small) shareholder in Delta myself (via my retirement savings
accounts).

I realize that it is common practice for your company (and indeed
likely every other airline) to negotiate hard with unions to get the
best deal for your company and its shareholders. However, taking the
step to launch what appears to be a well-funded and planned PR
campaign to convince your workers to reject the union and instead
spend union dues funds on frivolous purchases instead is a
despicable, nefarious strategy. Your fiduciary duty to your
shareholders does not mandate the use of unethical and immoral
strategies with your unionizing labor force — only that you
negotiate in good faith to get the best deal with them for the
company.

I demand that Delta issue a public apology for the posters. Ideally,
such an apology should include a statement by Delta indicating that
you believe your workers have the right to unionize and should take
seriously the counter-arguments put forward by the union in favor
of union dues and each employee should decide for themselves what is
right.

I’ve already booked my primary travel through the rest of the year, so
I cannot easily pivot away from Delta quickly. This gives you some
time to do the right thing. If Delta does not apologize publicly for
this incident by November 1st, 2019, I plan to begin avoiding Delta
as a carrier and will seek a status match on another airline.

I realize that this complaint email will likely primarily be read by
labor, not by management. I thus also encourage you to do
two things: (a) I hope you’ll share this message, to the extent you are
permitted under your employment agreement, with your coworkers. Know
that there are Diamond Medallions out here in the Delta system who
support your right to unionize. (b) I hope you escalate this matter
up to management decision-makers so they know that regular customers
are unhappy at their actions.
Given that I’m already booked on many non-refundable Delta flights in
the coming months, I would like to make business-card-sized flyers that say
something like: I’m a Delta frequent flyer & I support a unionizing
workforce. and maybe on the other side: Delta should apologize for
the posters. It would be great if these had some good graphics or
otherwise be eye-catching in some way. The idea would be to give them out
to travelers and leave them in seat pockets on flights for others to find.
If anyone is interested in this project and would like to help, email me
— I have no graphic design skills and would appreciate help.
I’m encouraging everyone
to visit Delta’s
complaint form and complain about this. If you’ve flown Delta before
with a frequent flyer account, make sure you’re logged into that account
when you fill out the form — I know from experience their system
prioritizes how seriously they take the complaint based on your past
travel.
I plan to keep my DAL stock shares until the next annual meeting, and
(schedule-permitting), I plan to attend the annual meeting and attempt to
speak about the issue (or at least give out the aforementioned business
cards there). I’ll also look in to whether shareholders can attend
earnings calls to ask questions, so maybe I can do something of this nature
before the next annual meeting.

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

2019-05-10 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/05/10/delta-union-busting.html

I’ve written the following statement via Delta’s complaint form:

I am a Diamond Medallion (since 2016) on Delta, and I’ve flown
more than 975,000 miles on Delta since 2000. I am also a (admittedly
small) shareholder in Delta myself (via my retirement savings
accounts).

I realize that it is common practice for your company (and indeed
likely every other airline) to negotiate hard with unions to get the
best deal for your company and its shareholders. However, taking the
step to launch what appears to be a well-funded and planned PR
campaign to convince your workers to reject the union and instead
spend union dues funds on frivolous purchases instead is a
despicable, nefarious strategy. Your fiduciary duty to your
shareholders does not mandate the use of unethical and immoral
strategies with your unionizing labor force — only that you
negotiate in good faith to get the best deal with them for the
company.

I demand that Delta issue a public apology for the posters. Ideally,
such an apology should include a statement by Delta indicating that
you believe your workers have the right to unionize and should take
seriously the counter-arguments put forward by the union in favor
of union dues and each employee should decide for themselves what is
right.

I’ve already booked my primary travel through the rest of the year, so
I cannot easily pivot away from Delta quickly. This gives you some
time to do the right thing. If Delta does not apologize publicly for
this incident by November 1st, 2019, I plan to begin avoiding Delta
as a carrier and will seek a status match on another airline.

I realize that this complaint email will likely primarily be read by
labor, not by management. I thus also encourage you to do
two things: (a) I hope you’ll share this message, to the extent you are
permitted under your employment agreement, with your coworkers. Know
that there are Diamond Medallions out here in the Delta system who
support your right to unionize. (b) I hope you escalate this matter
up to management decision-makers so they know that regular customers
are unhappy at their actions.
Given that I’m already booked on many non-refundable Delta flights in
the coming months, I would like to make business-card-sized flyers that say
something like: I’m a Delta frequent flyer & I support a unionizing
workforce. and maybe on the other side: Delta should apologize for
the posters. It would be great if these had some good graphics or
otherwise be eye-catching in some way. The idea would be to give them out
to travelers and leave them in seat pockets on flights for others to find.
If anyone is interested in this project and would like to help, email me
— I have no graphic design skills and would appreciate help.
I’m encouraging everyone
to visit Delta’s
complaint form and complain about this. If you’ve flown Delta before
with a frequent flyer account, make sure you’re logged into that account
when you fill out the form — I know from experience their system
prioritizes how seriously they take the complaint based on your past
travel.
I plan to keep my DAL stock shares until the next annual meeting, and
(schedule-permitting), I plan to attend the annual meeting and attempt to
speak about the issue (or at least give out the aforementioned business
cards there). I’ll also look in to whether shareholders can attend
earnings calls to ask questions, so maybe I can do something of this nature
before the next annual meeting.

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

2019-05-10 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/05/10/delta-union-busting.html

I’ve written the following statement via Delta’s complaint form:

I am a Diamond Medallion (since 2016) on Delta, and I’ve flown
more than 975,000 miles on Delta since 2000. I am also a (admittedly
small) shareholder in Delta myself (via my retirement savings
accounts).

I realize that it is common practice for your company (and indeed
likely every other airline) to negotiate hard with unions to get the
best deal for your company and its shareholders. However, taking the
step to launch what appears to be a well-funded and planned PR
campaign to convince your workers to reject the union and instead
spend union dues funds on frivolous purchases instead is a
despicable, nefarious strategy. Your fiduciary duty to your
shareholders does not mandate the use of unethical and immoral
strategies with your unionizing labor force — only that you
negotiate in good faith to get the best deal with them for the
company.

I demand that Delta issue a public apology for the posters. Ideally,
such an apology should include a statement by Delta indicating that
you believe your workers have the right to unionize and should take
seriously the counter-arguments put forward by the union in favor
of union dues and each employee should decide for themselves what is
right.

I’ve already booked my primary travel through the rest of the year, so
I cannot easily pivot away from Delta quickly. This gives you some
time to do the right thing. If Delta does not apologize publicly for
this incident by November 1st, 2019, I plan to begin avoiding Delta
as a carrier and will seek a status match on another airline.

I realize that this complaint email will likely primarily be read by
labor, not by management. I thus also encourage you to do
two things: (a) I hope you’ll share this message, to the extent you are
permitted under your employment agreement, with your coworkers. Know
that there are Diamond Medallions out here in the Delta system who
support your right to unionize. (b) I hope you escalate this matter
up to management decision-makers so they know that regular customers
are unhappy at their actions.
Given that I’m already booked on many non-refundable Delta flights in
the coming months, I would like to make business-card-sized flyers that say
something like: I’m a Delta frequent flyer & I support a unionizing
workforce. and maybe on the other side: Delta should apologize for
the posters. It would be great if these had some good graphics or
otherwise be eye-catching in some way. The idea would be to give them out
to travelers and leave them in seat pockets on flights for others to find.
If anyone is interested in this project and would like to help, email me
— I have no graphic design skills and would appreciate help.
I’m encouraging everyone
to visit Delta’s
complaint form and complain about this. If you’ve flown Delta before
with a frequent flyer account, make sure you’re logged into that account
when you fill out the form — I know from experience their system
prioritizes how seriously they take the complaint based on your past
travel.
I plan to keep my DAL stock shares until the next annual meeting, and
(schedule-permitting), I plan to attend the annual meeting and attempt to
speak about the issue (or at least give out the aforementioned business
cards there). I’ll also look in to whether shareholders can attend
earnings calls to ask questions, so maybe I can do something of this nature
before the next annual meeting.

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

2019-05-10 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/05/10/delta-union-busting.html

I’ve written the following statement via Delta’s complaint form:

I am a Diamond Medallion (since 2016) on Delta, and I’ve flown
more than 975,000 miles on Delta since 2000. I am also a (admittedly
small) shareholder in Delta myself (via my retirement savings
accounts).

I realize that it is common practice for your company (and indeed
likely every other airline) to negotiate hard with unions to get the
best deal for your company and its shareholders. However, taking the
step to launch what appears to be a well-funded and planned PR
campaign to convince your workers to reject the union and instead
spend union dues funds on frivolous purchases instead is a
despicable, nefarious strategy. Your fiduciary duty to your
shareholders does not mandate the use of unethical and immoral
strategies with your unionizing labor force — only that you
negotiate in good faith to get the best deal with them for the
company.

I demand that Delta issue a public apology for the posters. Ideally,
such an apology should include a statement by Delta indicating that
you believe your workers have the right to unionize and should take
seriously the counter-arguments put forward by the union in favor
of union dues and each employee should decide for themselves what is
right.

I’ve already booked my primary travel through the rest of the year, so
I cannot easily pivot away from Delta quickly. This gives you some
time to do the right thing. If Delta does not apologize publicly for
this incident by November 1st, 2019, I plan to begin avoiding Delta
as a carrier and will seek a status match on another airline.

I realize that this complaint email will likely primarily be read by
labor, not by management. I thus also encourage you to do
two things: (a) I hope you’ll share this message, to the extent you are
permitted under your employment agreement, with your coworkers. Know
that there are Diamond Medallions out here in the Delta system who
support your right to unionize. (b) I hope you escalate this matter
up to management decision-makers so they know that regular customers
are unhappy at their actions.
Given that I’m already booked on many non-refundable Delta flights in
the coming months, I would like to make business-card-sized flyers that say
something like: I’m a Delta frequent flyer & I support a unionizing
workforce. and maybe on the other side: Delta should apologize for
the posters. It would be great if these had some good graphics or
otherwise be eye-catching in some way. The idea would be to give them out
to travelers and leave them in seat pockets on flights for others to find.
If anyone is interested in this project and would like to help, email me
— I have no graphic design skills and would appreciate help.
I’m encouraging everyone
to visit Delta’s
complaint form and complain about this. If you’ve flown Delta before
with a frequent flyer account, make sure you’re logged into that account
when you fill out the form — I know from experience their system
prioritizes how seriously they take the complaint based on your past
travel.
I plan to keep my DAL stock shares until the next annual meeting, and
(schedule-permitting), I plan to attend the annual meeting and attempt to
speak about the issue (or at least give out the aforementioned business
cards there). I’ll also look in to whether shareholders can attend
earnings calls to ask questions, so maybe I can do something of this nature
before the next annual meeting.

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

2019-05-10 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/05/10/delta-union-busting.html

I’ve written the following statement via Delta’s complaint form:

I am a Diamond Medallion (since 2016) on Delta, and I’ve flown
more than 975,000 miles on Delta since 2000. I am also a (admittedly
small) shareholder in Delta myself (via my retirement savings
accounts).

I realize that it is common practice for your company (and indeed
likely every other airline) to negotiate hard with unions to get the
best deal for your company and its shareholders. However, taking the
step to launch what appears to be a well-funded and planned PR
campaign to convince your workers to reject the union and instead
spend union dues funds on frivolous purchases instead is a
despicable, nefarious strategy. Your fiduciary duty to your
shareholders does not mandate the use of unethical and immoral
strategies with your unionizing labor force — only that you
negotiate in good faith to get the best deal with them for the
company.

I demand that Delta issue a public apology for the posters. Ideally,
such an apology should include a statement by Delta indicating that
you believe your workers have the right to unionize and should take
seriously the counter-arguments put forward by the union in favor
of union dues and each employee should decide for themselves what is
right.

I’ve already booked my primary travel through the rest of the year, so
I cannot easily pivot away from Delta quickly. This gives you some
time to do the right thing. If Delta does not apologize publicly for
this incident by November 1st, 2019, I plan to begin avoiding Delta
as a carrier and will seek a status match on another airline.

I realize that this complaint email will likely primarily be read by
labor, not by management. I thus also encourage you to do
two things: (a) I hope you’ll share this message, to the extent you are
permitted under your employment agreement, with your coworkers. Know
that there are Diamond Medallions out here in the Delta system who
support your right to unionize. (b) I hope you escalate this matter
up to management decision-makers so they know that regular customers
are unhappy at their actions.
Given that I’m already booked on many non-refundable Delta flights in
the coming months, I would like to make business-card-sized flyers that say
something like: I’m a Delta frequent flyer & I support a unionizing
workforce. and maybe on the other side: Delta should apologize for
the posters. It would be great if these had some good graphics or
otherwise be eye-catching in some way. The idea would be to give them out
to travelers and leave them in seat pockets on flights for others to find.
If anyone is interested in this project and would like to help, email me
— I have no graphic design skills and would appreciate help.
I’m encouraging everyone
to visit Delta’s
complaint form and complain about this. If you’ve flown Delta before
with a frequent flyer account, make sure you’re logged into that account
when you fill out the form — I know from experience their system
prioritizes how seriously they take the complaint based on your past
travel.
I plan to keep my DAL stock shares until the next annual meeting, and
(schedule-permitting), I plan to attend the annual meeting and attempt to
speak about the issue (or at least give out the aforementioned business
cards there). I’ll also look in to whether shareholders can attend
earnings calls to ask questions, so maybe I can do something of this nature
before the next annual meeting.

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

2019-05-10 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/05/10/delta-union-busting.html

I’ve written the following statement via Delta’s complaint form:

I am a Diamond Medallion (since 2016) on Delta, and I’ve flown
more than 975,000 miles on Delta since 2000. I am also a (admittedly
small) shareholder in Delta myself (via my retirement savings
accounts).

I realize that it is common practice for your company (and indeed
likely every other airline) to negotiate hard with unions to get the
best deal for your company and its shareholders. However, taking the
step to launch what appears to be a well-funded and planned PR
campaign to convince your workers to reject the union and instead
spend union dues funds on frivolous purchases instead is a
despicable, nefarious strategy. Your fiduciary duty to your
shareholders does not mandate the use of unethical and immoral
strategies with your unionizing labor force — only that you
negotiate in good faith to get the best deal with them for the
company.

I demand that Delta issue a public apology for the posters. Ideally,
such an apology should include a statement by Delta indicating that
you believe your workers have the right to unionize and should take
seriously the counter-arguments put forward by the union in favor
of union dues and each employee should decide for themselves what is
right.

I’ve already booked my primary travel through the rest of the year, so
I cannot easily pivot away from Delta quickly. This gives you some
time to do the right thing. If Delta does not apologize publicly for
this incident by November 1st, 2019, I plan to begin avoiding Delta
as a carrier and will seek a status match on another airline.

I realize that this complaint email will likely primarily be read by
labor, not by management. I thus also encourage you to do
two things: (a) I hope you’ll share this message, to the extent you are
permitted under your employment agreement, with your coworkers. Know
that there are Diamond Medallions out here in the Delta system who
support your right to unionize. (b) I hope you escalate this matter
up to management decision-makers so they know that regular customers
are unhappy at their actions.
Given that I’m already booked on many non-refundable Delta flights in
the coming months, I would like to make business-card-sized flyers that say
something like: I’m a Delta frequent flyer & I support a unionizing
workforce. and maybe on the other side: Delta should apologize for
the posters. It would be great if these had some good graphics or
otherwise be eye-catching in some way. The idea would be to give them out
to travelers and leave them in seat pockets on flights for others to find.
If anyone is interested in this project and would like to help, email me
— I have no graphic design skills and would appreciate help.
I’m encouraging everyone
to visit Delta’s
complaint form and complain about this. If you’ve flown Delta before
with a frequent flyer account, make sure you’re logged into that account
when you fill out the form — I know from experience their system
prioritizes how seriously they take the complaint based on your past
travel.
I plan to keep my DAL stock shares until the next annual meeting, and
(schedule-permitting), I plan to attend the annual meeting and attempt to
speak about the issue (or at least give out the aforementioned business
cards there). I’ll also look in to whether shareholders can attend
earnings calls to ask questions, so maybe I can do something of this nature
before the next annual meeting.

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

2019-05-10 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/05/10/delta-union-busting.html

I’ve written the following statement via Delta’s complaint form:

I am a Diamond Medallion (since 2016) on Delta, and I’ve flown
more than 975,000 miles on Delta since 2000. I am also a (admittedly
small) shareholder in Delta myself (via my retirement savings
accounts).

I realize that it is common practice for your company (and indeed
likely every other airline) to negotiate hard with unions to get the
best deal for your company and its shareholders. However, taking the
step to launch what appears to be a well-funded and planned PR
campaign to convince your workers to reject the union and instead
spend union dues funds on frivolous purchases instead is a
despicable, nefarious strategy. Your fiduciary duty to your
shareholders does not mandate the use of unethical and immoral
strategies with your unionizing labor force — only that you
negotiate in good faith to get the best deal with them for the
company.

I demand that Delta issue a public apology for the posters. Ideally,
such an apology should include a statement by Delta indicating that
you believe your workers have the right to unionize and should take
seriously the counter-arguments put forward by the union in favor
of union dues and each employee should decide for themselves what is
right.

I’ve already booked my primary travel through the rest of the year, so
I cannot easily pivot away from Delta quickly. This gives you some
time to do the right thing. If Delta does not apologize publicly for
this incident by November 1st, 2019, I plan to begin avoiding Delta
as a carrier and will seek a status match on another airline.

I realize that this complaint email will likely primarily be read by
labor, not by management. I thus also encourage you to do
two things: (a) I hope you’ll share this message, to the extent you are
permitted under your employment agreement, with your coworkers. Know
that there are Diamond Medallions out here in the Delta system who
support your right to unionize. (b) I hope you escalate this matter
up to management decision-makers so they know that regular customers
are unhappy at their actions.
Given that I’m already booked on many non-refundable Delta flights in
the coming months, I would like to make business-card-sized flyers that say
something like: I’m a Delta frequent flyer & I support a unionizing
workforce. and maybe on the other side: Delta should apologize for
the posters. It would be great if these had some good graphics or
otherwise be eye-catching in some way. The idea would be to give them out
to travelers and leave them in seat pockets on flights for others to find.
If anyone is interested in this project and would like to help, email me
— I have no graphic design skills and would appreciate help.
I’m encouraging everyone
to visit Delta’s
complaint form and complain about this. If you’ve flown Delta before
with a frequent flyer account, make sure you’re logged into that account
when you fill out the form — I know from experience their system
prioritizes how seriously they take the complaint based on your past
travel.
I plan to keep my DAL stock shares until the next annual meeting, and
(schedule-permitting), I plan to attend the annual meeting and attempt to
speak about the issue (or at least give out the aforementioned business
cards there). I’ll also look in to whether shareholders can attend
earnings calls to ask questions, so maybe I can do something of this nature
before the next annual meeting.

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

2019-05-10 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/05/10/delta-union-busting.html

I’ve written the following statement via Delta’s complaint form:

I am a Diamond Medallion (since 2016) on Delta, and I’ve flown
more than 975,000 miles on Delta since 2000. I am also a (admittedly
small) shareholder in Delta myself (via my retirement savings
accounts).

I realize that it is common practice for your company (and indeed
likely every other airline) to negotiate hard with unions to get the
best deal for your company and its shareholders. However, taking the
step to launch what appears to be a well-funded and planned PR
campaign to convince your workers to reject the union and instead
spend union dues funds on frivolous purchases instead is a
despicable, nefarious strategy. Your fiduciary duty to your
shareholders does not mandate the use of unethical and immoral
strategies with your unionizing labor force — only that you
negotiate in good faith to get the best deal with them for the
company.

I demand that Delta issue a public apology for the posters. Ideally,
such an apology should include a statement by Delta indicating that
you believe your workers have the right to unionize and should take
seriously the counter-arguments put forward by the union in favor
of union dues and each employee should decide for themselves what is
right.

I’ve already booked my primary travel through the rest of the year, so
I cannot easily pivot away from Delta quickly. This gives you some
time to do the right thing. If Delta does not apologize publicly for
this incident by November 1st, 2019, I plan to begin avoiding Delta
as a carrier and will seek a status match on another airline.

I realize that this complaint email will likely primarily be read by
labor, not by management. I thus also encourage you to do
two things: (a) I hope you’ll share this message, to the extent you are
permitted under your employment agreement, with your coworkers. Know
that there are Diamond Medallions out here in the Delta system who
support your right to unionize. (b) I hope you escalate this matter
up to management decision-makers so they know that regular customers
are unhappy at their actions.
Given that I’m already booked on many non-refundable Delta flights in
the coming months, I would like to make business-card-sized flyers that say
something like: I’m a Delta frequent flyer & I support a unionizing
workforce. and maybe on the other side: Delta should apologize for
the posters. It would be great if these had some good graphics or
otherwise be eye-catching in some way. The idea would be to give them out
to travelers and leave them in seat pockets on flights for others to find.
If anyone is interested in this project and would like to help, email me
— I have no graphic design skills and would appreciate help.
I’m encouraging everyone
to visit Delta’s
complaint form and complain about this. If you’ve flown Delta before
with a frequent flyer account, make sure you’re logged into that account
when you fill out the form — I know from experience their system
prioritizes how seriously they take the complaint based on your past
travel.
I plan to keep my DAL stock shares until the next annual meeting, and
(schedule-permitting), I plan to attend the annual meeting and attempt to
speak about the issue (or at least give out the aforementioned business
cards there). I’ll also look in to whether shareholders can attend
earnings calls to ask questions, so maybe I can do something of this nature
before the next annual meeting.

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

2019-05-10 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/05/10/delta-union-busting.html

I’ve written the following statement via Delta’s complaint form:

I am a Diamond Medallion (since 2016) on Delta, and I’ve flown
more than 975,000 miles on Delta since 2000. I am also a (admittedly
small) shareholder in Delta myself (via my retirement savings
accounts).

I realize that it is common practice for your company (and indeed
likely every other airline) to negotiate hard with unions to get the
best deal for your company and its shareholders. However, taking the
step to launch what appears to be a well-funded and planned PR
campaign to convince your workers to reject the union and instead
spend union dues funds on frivolous purchases instead is a
despicable, nefarious strategy. Your fiduciary duty to your
shareholders does not mandate the use of unethical and immoral
strategies with your unionizing labor force — only that you
negotiate in good faith to get the best deal with them for the
company.

I demand that Delta issue a public apology for the posters. Ideally,
such an apology should include a statement by Delta indicating that
you believe your workers have the right to unionize and should take
seriously the counter-arguments put forward by the union in favor
of union dues and each employee should decide for themselves what is
right.

I’ve already booked my primary travel through the rest of the year, so
I cannot easily pivot away from Delta quickly. This gives you some
time to do the right thing. If Delta does not apologize publicly for
this incident by November 1st, 2019, I plan to begin avoiding Delta
as a carrier and will seek a status match on another airline.

I realize that this complaint email will likely primarily be read by
labor, not by management. I thus also encourage you to do
two things: (a) I hope you’ll share this message, to the extent you are
permitted under your employment agreement, with your coworkers. Know
that there are Diamond Medallions out here in the Delta system who
support your right to unionize. (b) I hope you escalate this matter
up to management decision-makers so they know that regular customers
are unhappy at their actions.
Given that I’m already booked on many non-refundable Delta flights in
the coming months, I would like to make business-card-sized flyers that say
something like: I’m a Delta frequent flyer & I support a unionizing
workforce. and maybe on the other side: Delta should apologize for
the posters. It would be great if these had some good graphics or
otherwise be eye-catching in some way. The idea would be to give them out
to travelers and leave them in seat pockets on flights for others to find.
If anyone is interested in this project and would like to help, email me
— I have no graphic design skills and would appreciate help.
I’m encouraging everyone
to visit Delta’s
complaint form and complain about this. If you’ve flown Delta before
with a frequent flyer account, make sure you’re logged into that account
when you fill out the form — I know from experience their system
prioritizes how seriously they take the complaint based on your past
travel.
I plan to keep my DAL stock shares until the next annual meeting, and
(schedule-permitting), I plan to attend the annual meeting and attempt to
speak about the issue (or at least give out the aforementioned business
cards there). I’ll also look in to whether shareholders can attend
earnings calls to ask questions, so maybe I can do something of this nature
before the next annual meeting.

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

2019-05-10 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/05/10/delta-union-busting.html

I’ve written the following statement via Delta’s complaint form:

I am a Diamond Medallion (since 2016) on Delta, and I’ve flown
more than 975,000 miles on Delta since 2000. I am also a (admittedly
small) shareholder in Delta myself (via my retirement savings
accounts).

I realize that it is common practice for your company (and indeed
likely every other airline) to negotiate hard with unions to get the
best deal for your company and its shareholders. However, taking the
step to launch what appears to be a well-funded and planned PR
campaign to convince your workers to reject the union and instead
spend union dues funds on frivolous purchases instead is a
despicable, nefarious strategy. Your fiduciary duty to your
shareholders does not mandate the use of unethical and immoral
strategies with your unionizing labor force — only that you
negotiate in good faith to get the best deal with them for the
company.

I demand that Delta issue a public apology for the posters. Ideally,
such an apology should include a statement by Delta indicating that
you believe your workers have the right to unionize and should take
seriously the counter-arguments put forward by the union in favor
of union dues and each employee should decide for themselves what is
right.

I’ve already booked my primary travel through the rest of the year, so
I cannot easily pivot away from Delta quickly. This gives you some
time to do the right thing. If Delta does not apologize publicly for
this incident by November 1st, 2019, I plan to begin avoiding Delta
as a carrier and will seek a status match on another airline.

I realize that this complaint email will likely primarily be read by
labor, not by management. I thus also encourage you to do
two things: (a) I hope you’ll share this message, to the extent you are
permitted under your employment agreement, with your coworkers. Know
that there are Diamond Medallions out here in the Delta system who
support your right to unionize. (b) I hope you escalate this matter
up to management decision-makers so they know that regular customers
are unhappy at their actions.
Given that I’m already booked on many non-refundable Delta flights in
the coming months, I would like to make business-card-sized flyers that say
something like: I’m a Delta frequent flyer & I support a unionizing
workforce. and maybe on the other side: Delta should apologize for
the posters. It would be great if these had some good graphics or
otherwise be eye-catching in some way. The idea would be to give them out
to travelers and leave them in seat pockets on flights for others to find.
If anyone is interested in this project and would like to help, email me
— I have no graphic design skills and would appreciate help.
I’m encouraging everyone
to visit Delta’s
complaint form and complain about this. If you’ve flown Delta before
with a frequent flyer account, make sure you’re logged into that account
when you fill out the form — I know from experience their system
prioritizes how seriously they take the complaint based on your past
travel.
I plan to keep my DAL stock shares until the next annual meeting, and
(schedule-permitting), I plan to attend the annual meeting and attempt to
speak about the issue (or at least give out the aforementioned business
cards there). I’ll also look in to whether shareholders can attend
earnings calls to ask questions, so maybe I can do something of this nature
before the next annual meeting.

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

2019-05-10 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/05/10/delta-union-busting.html

I’ve written the following statement via Delta’s complaint form:

I am a Diamond Medallion (since 2016) on Delta, and I’ve flown
more than 975,000 miles on Delta since 2000. I am also a (admittedly
small) shareholder in Delta myself (via my retirement savings
accounts).

I realize that it is common practice for your company (and indeed
likely every other airline) to negotiate hard with unions to get the
best deal for your company and its shareholders. However, taking the
step to launch what appears to be a well-funded and planned PR
campaign to convince your workers to reject the union and instead
spend union dues funds on frivolous purchases instead is a
despicable, nefarious strategy. Your fiduciary duty to your
shareholders does not mandate the use of unethical and immoral
strategies with your unionizing labor force — only that you
negotiate in good faith to get the best deal with them for the
company.

I demand that Delta issue a public apology for the posters. Ideally,
such an apology should include a statement by Delta indicating that
you believe your workers have the right to unionize and should take
seriously the counter-arguments put forward by the union in favor
of union dues and each employee should decide for themselves what is
right.

I’ve already booked my primary travel through the rest of the year, so
I cannot easily pivot away from Delta quickly. This gives you some
time to do the right thing. If Delta does not apologize publicly for
this incident by November 1st, 2019, I plan to begin avoiding Delta
as a carrier and will seek a status match on another airline.

I realize that this complaint email will likely primarily be read by
labor, not by management. I thus also encourage you to do
two things: (a) I hope you’ll share this message, to the extent you are
permitted under your employment agreement, with your coworkers. Know
that there are Diamond Medallions out here in the Delta system who
support your right to unionize. (b) I hope you escalate this matter
up to management decision-makers so they know that regular customers
are unhappy at their actions.
Given that I’m already booked on many non-refundable Delta flights in
the coming months, I would like to make business-card-sized flyers that say
something like: I’m a Delta frequent flyer & I support a unionizing
workforce. and maybe on the other side: Delta should apologize for
the posters. It would be great if these had some good graphics or
otherwise be eye-catching in some way. The idea would be to give them out
to travelers and leave them in seat pockets on flights for others to find.
If anyone is interested in this project and would like to help, email me
— I have no graphic design skills and would appreciate help.
I’m encouraging everyone
to visit Delta’s
complaint form and complain about this. If you’ve flown Delta before
with a frequent flyer account, make sure you’re logged into that account
when you fill out the form — I know from experience their system
prioritizes how seriously they take the complaint based on your past
travel.
I plan to keep my DAL stock shares until the next annual meeting, and
(schedule-permitting), I plan to attend the annual meeting and attempt to
speak about the issue (or at least give out the aforementioned business
cards there). I’ll also look in to whether shareholders can attend
earnings calls to ask questions, so maybe I can do something of this nature
before the next annual meeting.

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

2019-05-10 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/05/10/delta-union-busting.html

I’ve written the following statement via Delta’s complaint form:

I am a Diamond Medallion (since 2016) on Delta, and I’ve flown
more than 975,000 miles on Delta since 2000. I am also a (admittedly
small) shareholder in Delta myself (via my retirement savings
accounts).

I realize that it is common practice for your company (and indeed
likely every other airline) to negotiate hard with unions to get the
best deal for your company and its shareholders. However, taking the
step to launch what appears to be a well-funded and planned PR
campaign to convince your workers to reject the union and instead
spend union dues funds on frivolous purchases instead is a
despicable, nefarious strategy. Your fiduciary duty to your
shareholders does not mandate the use of unethical and immoral
strategies with your unionizing labor force — only that you
negotiate in good faith to get the best deal with them for the
company.

I demand that Delta issue a public apology for the posters. Ideally,
such an apology should include a statement by Delta indicating that
you believe your workers have the right to unionize and should take
seriously the counter-arguments put forward by the union in favor
of union dues and each employee should decide for themselves what is
right.

I’ve already booked my primary travel through the rest of the year, so
I cannot easily pivot away from Delta quickly. This gives you some
time to do the right thing. If Delta does not apologize publicly for
this incident by November 1st, 2019, I plan to begin avoiding Delta
as a carrier and will seek a status match on another airline.

I realize that this complaint email will likely primarily be read by
labor, not by management. I thus also encourage you to do
two things: (a) I hope you’ll share this message, to the extent you are
permitted under your employment agreement, with your coworkers. Know
that there are Diamond Medallions out here in the Delta system who
support your right to unionize. (b) I hope you escalate this matter
up to management decision-makers so they know that regular customers
are unhappy at their actions.
Given that I’m already booked on many non-refundable Delta flights in
the coming months, I would like to make business-card-sized flyers that say
something like: I’m a Delta frequent flyer & I support a unionizing
workforce. and maybe on the other side: Delta should apologize for
the posters. It would be great if these had some good graphics or
otherwise be eye-catching in some way. The idea would be to give them out
to travelers and leave them in seat pockets on flights for others to find.
If anyone is interested in this project and would like to help, email me
— I have no graphic design skills and would appreciate help.
I’m encouraging everyone
to visit Delta’s
complaint form and complain about this. If you’ve flown Delta before
with a frequent flyer account, make sure you’re logged into that account
when you fill out the form — I know from experience their system
prioritizes how seriously they take the complaint based on your past
travel.
I plan to keep my DAL stock shares until the next annual meeting, and
(schedule-permitting), I plan to attend the annual meeting and attempt to
speak about the issue (or at least give out the aforementioned business
cards there). I’ll also look in to whether shareholders can attend
earnings calls to ask questions, so maybe I can do something of this nature
before the next annual meeting.

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

2019-05-10 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/05/10/delta-union-busting.html

I’ve written the following statement via Delta’s complaint form:

I am a Diamond Medallion (since 2016) on Delta, and I’ve flown
more than 975,000 miles on Delta since 2000. I am also a (admittedly
small) shareholder in Delta myself (via my retirement savings
accounts).

I realize that it is common practice for your company (and indeed
likely every other airline) to negotiate hard with unions to get the
best deal for your company and its shareholders. However, taking the
step to launch what appears to be a well-funded and planned PR
campaign to convince your workers to reject the union and instead
spend union dues funds on frivolous purchases instead is a
despicable, nefarious strategy. Your fiduciary duty to your
shareholders does not mandate the use of unethical and immoral
strategies with your unionizing labor force — only that you
negotiate in good faith to get the best deal with them for the
company.

I demand that Delta issue a public apology for the posters. Ideally,
such an apology should include a statement by Delta indicating that
you believe your workers have the right to unionize and should take
seriously the counter-arguments put forward by the union in favor
of union dues and each employee should decide for themselves what is
right.

I’ve already booked my primary travel through the rest of the year, so
I cannot easily pivot away from Delta quickly. This gives you some
time to do the right thing. If Delta does not apologize publicly for
this incident by November 1st, 2019, I plan to begin avoiding Delta
as a carrier and will seek a status match on another airline.

I realize that this complaint email will likely primarily be read by
labor, not by management. I thus also encourage you to do
two things: (a) I hope you’ll share this message, to the extent you are
permitted under your employment agreement, with your coworkers. Know
that there are Diamond Medallions out here in the Delta system who
support your right to unionize. (b) I hope you escalate this matter
up to management decision-makers so they know that regular customers
are unhappy at their actions.
Given that I’m already booked on many non-refundable Delta flights in
the coming months, I would like to make business-card-sized flyers that say
something like: I’m a Delta frequent flyer & I support a unionizing
workforce. and maybe on the other side: Delta should apologize for
the posters. It would be great if these had some good graphics or
otherwise be eye-catching in some way. The idea would be to give them out
to travelers and leave them in seat pockets on flights for others to find.
If anyone is interested in this project and would like to help, email me
— I have no graphic design skills and would appreciate help.
I’m encouraging everyone
to visit Delta’s
complaint form and complain about this. If you’ve flown Delta before
with a frequent flyer account, make sure you’re logged into that account
when you fill out the form — I know from experience their system
prioritizes how seriously they take the complaint based on your past
travel.
I plan to keep my DAL stock shares until the next annual meeting, and
(schedule-permitting), I plan to attend the annual meeting and attempt to
speak about the issue (or at least give out the aforementioned business
cards there). I’ll also look in to whether shareholders can attend
earnings calls to ask questions, so maybe I can do something of this nature
before the next annual meeting.

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

2019-05-10 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/05/10/delta-union-busting.html

I’ve written the following statement via Delta’s complaint form:

I am a Diamond Medallion (since 2016) on Delta, and I’ve flown
more than 975,000 miles on Delta since 2000. I am also a (admittedly
small) shareholder in Delta myself (via my retirement savings
accounts).

I realize that it is common practice for your company (and indeed
likely every other airline) to negotiate hard with unions to get the
best deal for your company and its shareholders. However, taking the
step to launch what appears to be a well-funded and planned PR
campaign to convince your workers to reject the union and instead
spend union dues funds on frivolous purchases instead is a
despicable, nefarious strategy. Your fiduciary duty to your
shareholders does not mandate the use of unethical and immoral
strategies with your unionizing labor force — only that you
negotiate in good faith to get the best deal with them for the
company.

I demand that Delta issue a public apology for the posters. Ideally,
such an apology should include a statement by Delta indicating that
you believe your workers have the right to unionize and should take
seriously the counter-arguments put forward by the union in favor
of union dues and each employee should decide for themselves what is
right.

I’ve already booked my primary travel through the rest of the year, so
I cannot easily pivot away from Delta quickly. This gives you some
time to do the right thing. If Delta does not apologize publicly for
this incident by November 1st, 2019, I plan to begin avoiding Delta
as a carrier and will seek a status match on another airline.

I realize that this complaint email will likely primarily be read by
labor, not by management. I thus also encourage you to do
two things: (a) I hope you’ll share this message, to the extent you are
permitted under your employment agreement, with your coworkers. Know
that there are Diamond Medallions out here in the Delta system who
support your right to unionize. (b) I hope you escalate this matter
up to management decision-makers so they know that regular customers
are unhappy at their actions.
Given that I’m already booked on many non-refundable Delta flights in
the coming months, I would like to make business-card-sized flyers that say
something like: I’m a Delta frequent flyer & I support a unionizing
workforce. and maybe on the other side: Delta should apologize for
the posters. It would be great if these had some good graphics or
otherwise be eye-catching in some way. The idea would be to give them out
to travelers and leave them in seat pockets on flights for others to find.
If anyone is interested in this project and would like to help, email me
— I have no graphic design skills and would appreciate help.
I’m encouraging everyone
to visit Delta’s
complaint form and complain about this. If you’ve flown Delta before
with a frequent flyer account, make sure you’re logged into that account
when you fill out the form — I know from experience their system
prioritizes how seriously they take the complaint based on your past
travel.
I plan to keep my DAL stock shares until the next annual meeting, and
(schedule-permitting), I plan to attend the annual meeting and attempt to
speak about the issue (or at least give out the aforementioned business
cards there). I’ll also look in to whether shareholders can attend
earnings calls to ask questions, so maybe I can do something of this nature
before the next annual meeting.

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

2019-05-10 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/05/10/delta-union-busting.html

I’ve written the following statement via Delta’s complaint form:

I am a Diamond Medallion (since 2016) on Delta, and I’ve flown
more than 975,000 miles on Delta since 2000. I am also a (admittedly
small) shareholder in Delta myself (via my retirement savings
accounts).

I realize that it is common practice for your company (and indeed
likely every other airline) to negotiate hard with unions to get the
best deal for your company and its shareholders. However, taking the
step to launch what appears to be a well-funded and planned PR
campaign to convince your workers to reject the union and instead
spend union dues funds on frivolous purchases instead is a
despicable, nefarious strategy. Your fiduciary duty to your
shareholders does not mandate the use of unethical and immoral
strategies with your unionizing labor force — only that you
negotiate in good faith to get the best deal with them for the
company.

I demand that Delta issue a public apology for the posters. Ideally,
such an apology should include a statement by Delta indicating that
you believe your workers have the right to unionize and should take
seriously the counter-arguments put forward by the union in favor
of union dues and each employee should decide for themselves what is
right.

I’ve already booked my primary travel through the rest of the year, so
I cannot easily pivot away from Delta quickly. This gives you some
time to do the right thing. If Delta does not apologize publicly for
this incident by November 1st, 2019, I plan to begin avoiding Delta
as a carrier and will seek a status match on another airline.

I realize that this complaint email will likely primarily be read by
labor, not by management. I thus also encourage you to do
two things: (a) I hope you’ll share this message, to the extent you are
permitted under your employment agreement, with your coworkers. Know
that there are Diamond Medallions out here in the Delta system who
support your right to unionize. (b) I hope you escalate this matter
up to management decision-makers so they know that regular customers
are unhappy at their actions.
Given that I’m already booked on many non-refundable Delta flights in
the coming months, I would like to make business-card-sized flyers that say
something like: I’m a Delta frequent flyer & I support a unionizing
workforce. and maybe on the other side: Delta should apologize for
the posters. It would be great if these had some good graphics or
otherwise be eye-catching in some way. The idea would be to give them out
to travelers and leave them in seat pockets on flights for others to find.
If anyone is interested in this project and would like to help, email me
— I have no graphic design skills and would appreciate help.
I’m encouraging everyone
to visit Delta’s
complaint form and complain about this. If you’ve flown Delta before
with a frequent flyer account, make sure you’re logged into that account
when you fill out the form — I know from experience their system
prioritizes how seriously they take the complaint based on your past
travel.
I plan to keep my DAL stock shares until the next annual meeting, and
(schedule-permitting), I plan to attend the annual meeting and attempt to
speak about the issue (or at least give out the aforementioned business
cards there). I’ll also look in to whether shareholders can attend
earnings calls to ask questions, so maybe I can do something of this nature
before the next annual meeting.

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

2019-05-10 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/05/10/delta-union-busting.html

I’ve written the following statement via Delta’s complaint form:

I am a Diamond Medallion (since 2016) on Delta, and I’ve flown
more than 975,000 miles on Delta since 2000. I am also a (admittedly
small) shareholder in Delta myself (via my retirement savings
accounts).

I realize that it is common practice for your company (and indeed
likely every other airline) to negotiate hard with unions to get the
best deal for your company and its shareholders. However, taking the
step to launch what appears to be a well-funded and planned PR
campaign to convince your workers to reject the union and instead
spend union dues funds on frivolous purchases instead is a
despicable, nefarious strategy. Your fiduciary duty to your
shareholders does not mandate the use of unethical and immoral
strategies with your unionizing labor force — only that you
negotiate in good faith to get the best deal with them for the
company.

I demand that Delta issue a public apology for the posters. Ideally,
such an apology should include a statement by Delta indicating that
you believe your workers have the right to unionize and should take
seriously the counter-arguments put forward by the union in favor
of union dues and each employee should decide for themselves what is
right.

I’ve already booked my primary travel through the rest of the year, so
I cannot easily pivot away from Delta quickly. This gives you some
time to do the right thing. If Delta does not apologize publicly for
this incident by November 1st, 2019, I plan to begin avoiding Delta
as a carrier and will seek a status match on another airline.

I realize that this complaint email will likely primarily be read by
labor, not by management. I thus also encourage you to do
two things: (a) I hope you’ll share this message, to the extent you are
permitted under your employment agreement, with your coworkers. Know
that there are Diamond Medallions out here in the Delta system who
support your right to unionize. (b) I hope you escalate this matter
up to management decision-makers so they know that regular customers
are unhappy at their actions.
Given that I’m already booked on many non-refundable Delta flights in
the coming months, I would like to make business-card-sized flyers that say
something like: I’m a Delta frequent flyer & I support a unionizing
workforce. and maybe on the other side: Delta should apologize for
the posters. It would be great if these had some good graphics or
otherwise be eye-catching in some way. The idea would be to give them out
to travelers and leave them in seat pockets on flights for others to find.
If anyone is interested in this project and would like to help, email me
— I have no graphic design skills and would appreciate help.
I’m encouraging everyone
to visit Delta’s
complaint form and complain about this. If you’ve flown Delta before
with a frequent flyer account, make sure you’re logged into that account
when you fill out the form — I know from experience their system
prioritizes how seriously they take the complaint based on your past
travel.
I plan to keep my DAL stock shares until the next annual meeting, and
(schedule-permitting), I plan to attend the annual meeting and attempt to
speak about the issue (or at least give out the aforementioned business
cards there). I’ll also look in to whether shareholders can attend
earnings calls to ask questions, so maybe I can do something of this nature
before the next annual meeting.

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

2019-05-10 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/05/10/delta-union-busting.html

I’ve written the following statement via Delta’s complaint form:

I am a Diamond Medallion (since 2016) on Delta, and I’ve flown
more than 975,000 miles on Delta since 2000. I am also a (admittedly
small) shareholder in Delta myself (via my retirement savings
accounts).

I realize that it is common practice for your company (and indeed
likely every other airline) to negotiate hard with unions to get the
best deal for your company and its shareholders. However, taking the
step to launch what appears to be a well-funded and planned PR
campaign to convince your workers to reject the union and instead
spend union dues funds on frivolous purchases instead is a
despicable, nefarious strategy. Your fiduciary duty to your
shareholders does not mandate the use of unethical and immoral
strategies with your unionizing labor force — only that you
negotiate in good faith to get the best deal with them for the
company.

I demand that Delta issue a public apology for the posters. Ideally,
such an apology should include a statement by Delta indicating that
you believe your workers have the right to unionize and should take
seriously the counter-arguments put forward by the union in favor
of union dues and each employee should decide for themselves what is
right.

I’ve already booked my primary travel through the rest of the year, so
I cannot easily pivot away from Delta quickly. This gives you some
time to do the right thing. If Delta does not apologize publicly for
this incident by November 1st, 2019, I plan to begin avoiding Delta
as a carrier and will seek a status match on another airline.

I realize that this complaint email will likely primarily be read by
labor, not by management. I thus also encourage you to do
two things: (a) I hope you’ll share this message, to the extent you are
permitted under your employment agreement, with your coworkers. Know
that there are Diamond Medallions out here in the Delta system who
support your right to unionize. (b) I hope you escalate this matter
up to management decision-makers so they know that regular customers
are unhappy at their actions.
Given that I’m already booked on many non-refundable Delta flights in
the coming months, I would like to make business-card-sized flyers that say
something like: I’m a Delta frequent flyer & I support a unionizing
workforce. and maybe on the other side: Delta should apologize for
the posters. It would be great if these had some good graphics or
otherwise be eye-catching in some way. The idea would be to give them out
to travelers and leave them in seat pockets on flights for others to find.
If anyone is interested in this project and would like to help, email me
— I have no graphic design skills and would appreciate help.
I’m encouraging everyone
to visit Delta’s
complaint form and complain about this. If you’ve flown Delta before
with a frequent flyer account, make sure you’re logged into that account
when you fill out the form — I know from experience their system
prioritizes how seriously they take the complaint based on your past
travel.
I plan to keep my DAL stock shares until the next annual meeting, and
(schedule-permitting), I plan to attend the annual meeting and attempt to
speak about the issue (or at least give out the aforementioned business
cards there). I’ll also look in to whether shareholders can attend
earnings calls to ask questions, so maybe I can do something of this nature
before the next annual meeting.

Understanding LF’s New “Community Bridge”

2019-03-13 Bradley M. Kuhn

Post Syndicated from Bradley M. Kuhn original http://ebb.org/bkuhn/blog/2019/03/13/linux-foundation-community-bridge.html

[ This blog post was co-written by me and Karen M. Sandler, with input from
Deb Nicholson, for
our Conservancy
blog, and that its canonical location. I’m reposting here just for
the convenience of those who are subscribed to my RSS feed but not get
Conservancy’s feed. ]

Yesterday, the Linux Foundation (LF) launched a new service, called
“Community Bridge” — an ambitious
platform that promises a self-service system to handle finances, address security issues, manage CLAs and license compliance, and also bring mentorship to projects. These tasks are difficult work that typically require human intervention, so we understand the allure of automating them; we and our peer organizations have long welcomed newcomers to this field and have together sought collaborative assistance for these issues. Indeed, Community Bridge’s offerings bear some similarity to the work of organizations like Apache Software Foundation, the Free
Software Foundation (FSF), the GNOME Foundation (GF), Open Source Initiative (OSI), Software in the Public Interest (SPI) and Conservancy. People have already begun to ask us to compare this initiative to our work and the work of our peer organizations. This blog post
hopefully answers those questions and anticipated similar questions.

The first huge difference (and the biggest disappointment for the entire FOSS community) is that LF’s Community Bridge
is a proprietary software system. §4.2 of
their Platform
Use Agreement requires those who sign up for this platform to agree to
a proprietary software license, and LF has remained silent
about the proprietary nature of the platform in its explanatory materials. The LF, as an organization dedicated to Open Source, should release the source for Community Bridge.
At Conservancy, we’ve worked since 2012 on
a Non-Profit Accounting Software system,
including creating
a tagging system for transparently documenting ledger transactions, and
various support
software around that. We and SPI both now use these methods daily. We also funded the creation of
a system to
manage mentorship programs, which we now runs the Outreachy mentorship program. We believe
fundamentally that the infrastructure we provide for FOSS fiscal
sponsorship (including accounting, mentorship and license compliance) must itself be FOSS, and developed in public as a FOSS
project. LF’s own research already shows that transparency is impossible for systems that are not FOSS. More importantly, LF’s new software could directly benefit so many
organizations in our community, including not only Conservancy but also
the many others (listed above) who do some form of fiscal sponsorship. LF shouldn’t behave like a proprietary software company like Patreon or
Kickstarter, but instead support FOSS development.
Generally speaking, all Conservancy’s peer organizations (listed above) have been fully dedicated to the idea that any infrastructure
developed for fiscal sponsorship should itself be FOSS. LF has deviated
here from this community norm by unnecessarily requiring FOSS developers to use proprietary software to receive these services, and also failing to collaborate over a FOSS
codebase with the existing community of organizations. LF Executive Director Jim Zemlin has said that he “wants more participation in open source … to advance its sustainability and … wants organizations to share their code for the benefit of their fellow [hu]mankind”; we ask him to apply these principles to his own organization now.

The second difference is that LF is not a charity, but a trade association
— designed to serve the common business interest
of its paid
members, who control its Board of Directors. This means that donations
made to projects through their system will not be tax-deductible in the
USA, and that the money can be used in ways that do not necessarily benefit
the public good. For some projects, this may well be an advantage: not all
FOSS projects operate in the public good. We believe charitable commitment
remains a huge benefit of joining a fiscal sponsor like Conservancy, FSF, GF, or SPI.
While charitable affiliation means there are more constraints on how projects can spend
their funds, as the projects must show that their spending serves the public
benefit, we believe that such constraints are most valuable. Legal
requirements that assure behavior of the organization always benefits the
general public are a good thing. However, some projects may indeed prefer to
serve the common business interest of LF’s member companies rather than
the public good, but projects should note such benefit to the common
business interest is mandatory on this platform —
it’s explicitly
unauthorized to use LF’s platform to engage in activities in conflict with
LF’s trade association status). Furthermore, (per
the FAQ) only one maintainer
can administer a project’s account, so the platform currently only
supports the “BDFL”
FOSS governance model, which has already been widely discredited. No
governance check exists to ensure that the project’s interests align with
spending, or to verify that the maintainer acts with consent of a larger
group to implement group decisions. Even worse, (per §2.3 of the Usage Agreement) terminating the relationship means ceasing use of the account; no provision allows transfer of the money somewhere else when projects’ needs change.

Finally, the LF offers services that are mainly orthogonal and/or a
subset of the services provided by a typical fiscal sponsor. Conservancy,
for example, does work to negotiate contracts, assist in active
fundraising, deal with legal and licensing issues, and various other
hands-on work. LF’s system is similar to Patreon and other platforms in
that it is a hands-off system that takes a cut of the money and provides
minimal financial services. Participants will still need to worry about
forming their own organization if they want to sign contracts, have an
entity that can engage with lawyers and receive legal advice for the project, work through governance issues, or the many
other things that projects often want from a fiscal sponsor.

Historically, fiscal sponsors in FOSS have not treated each other as
competitors. Conservancy collaborates often with SPI, FSF, and GF in
particular. We refer applicant projects to other entities, including
explaining to applicants that a trade association may be a better fit for
their project. In some cases, we have even referred such
trade-association-appropriate applicants to the LF itself, and the LF then
helped them form their own sub-organizations and/or became LF Collaborative
Projects. The launch of this platform, as proprietary
software, without coordination with the rest of the FOSS organization
community, is unnecessarily uncollaborative with our community and
we therefore encourage some skepticism here. That said, this new
LF system is probably just right for FOSS projects that (a) prefer to use
single-point-of-failure, proprietary software rather than FOSS for their infrastructure, (b) do not
want to operate in a way that is dedicated to the public good, and (c) have very minimal
fiscal sponsorship needs, such as occasional reimbursements of project
expenses.

Noise

All posts by Bradley M. Kuhn

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

Delta Airlines Crosses One Line Too Far in Union Busting

Understanding LF’s New “Community Bridge”

The collective thoughts of the interwebz