Railway Labor Act | How Pilot-Coordinated Self-Help Actions Can Harm Negotiations

On this episode of Five by Five host Jason DuVernay and Gary Michalk from the Negotiating Committee introduce a conversation between Delta Air Lines First Officer Ryan Argenta and Attorney Marcus Migliore. Marcus has nearly 30 years of experience with ALPA and currently serves as General Counsel & Director, Legal Department.

Ryan and Marcus discuss the implications of the Railway Labor Act (RLA) on Section 6 negotiations and how pilot-coordinated self-help actions can adversely derail progress at the table. Digging into a number of cases where pilot actions, such as refusing to pick up open time trips, premium trips, and coordinating sick outs we learn about court actions and stiff sanctions for individual pilots and the union. We learn what self-help actions pilots can take under the RLA and how pilot unity, wearing lanyards, and informational picketing make a huge impact at the negotiating table.  As things heat up in negotiations and this summer, Mr. Migliore explains how important it is for ALPA pilots to keep cool, follow the rules and laws imposed by the RLA, and let ALPA and elected representatives follow the defined flow process. (Recorded June 9, 2022)

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Time Stamps

01:57 - Understanding Marcus and his ALPA involvement

04:23 - Why you should not engage in illegal work actions

06:42 - Importance of Unity

08:33 - Protections provided by the RLA

10:41 - Begining of Delta Podcast: 'Status Quo'

14:37 - What if management violates 'Status Quo'

16:30 - Previous 'Status Quo' violations and their resulting penalties

18:20 - Dangers of 'grass-roots' work actions

20:26 - Digital Trails

22:50 - Individual pilot penalization in previous cases

23:47 - Does the RLA need to be changed or updated?

26:05 - Meaningful and proper actions

27:45 - Using the current environment to our advantage

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