Let the "right sizing" begin
Feb 4, 2016 | 6:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,436
Let the "right sizing" begin
Feb 4, 2016 | 6:36 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Orlando, FL Area
Programs: Delta SkySponge ExtraAbsorbent, SPG Gold
Posts: 29,980
What job positions are these? There haven't been any changes to the CVG flight schedule but based on my anecdotal observations I've never thought the airport was over-staffed. At least not the gate agents or club staff. I've never left the airside at CVG so I'm not sure about ticketing agents and such.
Feb 4, 2016 | 6:44 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Planet Earth(most days)
Programs: Hilton Honors, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 1,544
I've never had a time flying through cvg where there weren't at least three gate agents or two gate agents and a red coat working flights. That doesn't seem to be the norm anywhere else in the system.
One thing that struck me about that article is that they said they were hoping from the last 6 years that they would lose employees via attrition.
Cvg has always been an agent favorite. I've seen time and time again that cvg was where they wanted to be and nowhere else.
It's too bad that cvg is done, but there hasn't really been any activity flight wise that to show any differently.
One thing that struck me about that article is that they said they were hoping from the last 6 years that they would lose employees via attrition.
Cvg has always been an agent favorite. I've seen time and time again that cvg was where they wanted to be and nowhere else.
It's too bad that cvg is done, but there hasn't really been any activity flight wise that to show any differently.
Feb 4, 2016 | 6:51 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,436
What job positions are these? There haven't been any changes to the CVG flight schedule but based on my anecdotal observations I've never thought the airport was over-staffed. At least not the gate agents or club staff. I've never left the airside at CVG so I'm not sure about ticketing agents and such.
Feb 4, 2016 | 6:55 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Boston, MA (BOS)
Programs: AA PLT Pro 2MM, DL Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium + LT Plat, COFC Venture X, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 5,603
What job positions are these? There haven't been any changes to the CVG flight schedule but based on my anecdotal observations I've never thought the airport was over-staffed. At least not the gate agents or club staff. I've never left the airside at CVG so I'm not sure about ticketing agents and such.
From another CVG area news site:
To: CVG Airport Customer Service and Delta Cargo Operations Colleagues
From: Bill Lentsch, S.V.P. – ACS and Cargo Operations
Date: February 4, 2016
Subject: Right-Sizing Delta’s Airport and Cargo Operations in CVG
As a competitor in the global marketplace, Delta has a duty to ensure it is operating in a financially responsible manner.
After careful analysis, today Airport Customer Service (ACS) and Cargo Operations leaders are in Cincinnati with you
sharing the difficult decision we have made to right-size the CVG operation effective May 1. This right-sizing will include
the expected transition of the CVG Cargo operation to our business partner Delta Global Staffing.
While there are no current changes to the CVG flight schedule, these staffing changes are necessary. The CVG station
has been in an overstaffed situation since 2010, after several rounds of hub restructuring. Our goal was to achieve this
right-sizing through attrition over the years, however that has not occurred. In addition, the cargo industry has been
challenged by high capacity in the market and a shift from air to ground and sea freight as companies around the world
look to lower their shipping costs. Due to the size of the CVG freight market, it is necessary to utilize a supplier to align
Delta’s costs with cargo revenue.
These changes will result in the reduction of approximately 120 positions as well as a reduction in hours for approximately
185 employees. Jobs are available for each and every impacted employee who is willing to transfer to another station
where there is an open position in ACS or Cargo. Given that ATL is slightly above headcount complement, it will not be
open for transfers; however, there are a number of stations that will be accepting transfers, including: LGA, SEA, MSP,
DTW, LAX and JFK. In addition, to accommodate as many impacted benefited employees as possible, we will increase
capacity and maximize our space in the CVG Customer Engagement Center, while also offering options to transition to
any Engagement Center Delta operates in North America.
Eligible employees will be offered an opportunity to transfer with relocation assistance, voluntarily retire through a 55-point
program or select voluntary furlough with severance. As has been done in the past, we will administer a station preference
process in the weeks ahead. The leaders visiting your station today are very knowledgeable about what options are
available to you and I encourage you to ask them questions. We will provide an Employee Assistance Program and
career transition resources in person during the coming weeks.
Delta has a long-standing history of taking care of its people, especially through tough circumstances. You have my
continued, full support through this transition process. ACS and Cargo Operations leaders as well as Human Resources
representatives are available to support you throughout this process and are equipped to help those impacted make the
best decision for themselves and their families.
While our industry remains volatile and faces ever-present challenges, including growing economic uncertainty, we must
remain focused on running a business that can be profitable in good times and bad.
I understand this is a difficult decision; however, I know we can count on the professionals in CVG to continue to support
each other and deliver excellent customer service. Thank you for all you do for Delta every day.
From: Bill Lentsch, S.V.P. – ACS and Cargo Operations
Date: February 4, 2016
Subject: Right-Sizing Delta’s Airport and Cargo Operations in CVG
As a competitor in the global marketplace, Delta has a duty to ensure it is operating in a financially responsible manner.
After careful analysis, today Airport Customer Service (ACS) and Cargo Operations leaders are in Cincinnati with you
sharing the difficult decision we have made to right-size the CVG operation effective May 1. This right-sizing will include
the expected transition of the CVG Cargo operation to our business partner Delta Global Staffing.
While there are no current changes to the CVG flight schedule, these staffing changes are necessary. The CVG station
has been in an overstaffed situation since 2010, after several rounds of hub restructuring. Our goal was to achieve this
right-sizing through attrition over the years, however that has not occurred. In addition, the cargo industry has been
challenged by high capacity in the market and a shift from air to ground and sea freight as companies around the world
look to lower their shipping costs. Due to the size of the CVG freight market, it is necessary to utilize a supplier to align
Delta’s costs with cargo revenue.
These changes will result in the reduction of approximately 120 positions as well as a reduction in hours for approximately
185 employees. Jobs are available for each and every impacted employee who is willing to transfer to another station
where there is an open position in ACS or Cargo. Given that ATL is slightly above headcount complement, it will not be
open for transfers; however, there are a number of stations that will be accepting transfers, including: LGA, SEA, MSP,
DTW, LAX and JFK. In addition, to accommodate as many impacted benefited employees as possible, we will increase
capacity and maximize our space in the CVG Customer Engagement Center, while also offering options to transition to
any Engagement Center Delta operates in North America.
Eligible employees will be offered an opportunity to transfer with relocation assistance, voluntarily retire through a 55-point
program or select voluntary furlough with severance. As has been done in the past, we will administer a station preference
process in the weeks ahead. The leaders visiting your station today are very knowledgeable about what options are
available to you and I encourage you to ask them questions. We will provide an Employee Assistance Program and
career transition resources in person during the coming weeks.
Delta has a long-standing history of taking care of its people, especially through tough circumstances. You have my
continued, full support through this transition process. ACS and Cargo Operations leaders as well as Human Resources
representatives are available to support you throughout this process and are equipped to help those impacted make the
best decision for themselves and their families.
While our industry remains volatile and faces ever-present challenges, including growing economic uncertainty, we must
remain focused on running a business that can be profitable in good times and bad.
I understand this is a difficult decision; however, I know we can count on the professionals in CVG to continue to support
each other and deliver excellent customer service. Thank you for all you do for Delta every day.
Bolding mine.
So DL has the gall to layoff/relocate employee amidst record profitability but then acts altruistic by saying they've allowed them to hold onto their jobs six years longer than they really should have? I thought DL prided themselves on being prudent, lean, and well managed yet here they admit they've been overstaffed at CVG for SIX full years? You can't have it both ways. As most on FT who know my posting history on DL and OAL union issues know, I rarely come to [organized] labor's defense but this is just plain silly.
Their own memo dated today acknowledges ATL is overstaffed and is not an option for transfers at this time. So what's to say they won't do the same thing in ATL in a few months time? Or is ATL immune from cuts?
Last edited by AAerSTL; Feb 4, 2016 at 7:01 pm
Feb 4, 2016 | 7:05 pm
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Orlando, FL Area
Programs: Delta SkySponge ExtraAbsorbent, SPG Gold
Posts: 29,980
I think DL outsourced some Sky Club positions in ATL a few years ago. The bartenders and housekeeping positions were contracted out to Sodexo I believe.
Feb 4, 2016 | 7:48 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Boston, MA (BOS)
Programs: AA PLT Pro 2MM, DL Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium + LT Plat, COFC Venture X, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 5,603
CVG really isn't a large enough force in the DL system to justify that in isolation, at least. If anything it's a combination of DTW/MSP hubs, line stations, and malcontented employees at PMDL hubs who have been pushing for the IAM. If the IAM knew how to effectively run a campaign for DL (and B6) employees they would have been certified years ago. The IAM hasn't realized the tactics at NW, TW, and UAL no longer and will not work at DL. They haven't changed their organizing approach. And it would be against the law if it was discovered DL was closing this operation at CVG because of employee interest in organizing. Airlines and other employers certainly have taking action like this, but it's against the law.
Feb 4, 2016 | 8:01 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,881
CVG really isn't a large enough force in the DL system to justify that in isolation, at least. If anything it's a combination of DTW/MSP hubs, line stations, and malcontented employees at PMDL hubs who have been pushing for the IAM. If the IAM knew how to effectively run a campaign for DL (and B6) employees they would have been certified years ago. The IAM hasn't realized the tactics at NW, TW, and UAL no longer and will not work at DL. They haven't changed their organizing approach. And it would be against the law if it was discovered DL was closing this operation at CVG because of employee interest in organizing. Airlines and other employers certainly have taking action like this, but it's against the law.
I'm saying that it looks better to slowly get CVG's numbers down over 6 years (retirements and transfers out while not hiring in) than it does to gut CVG immediately and much more harshly 6 years ago. The ongoing action makes Delta look as pro-labor as an un-unionized company can be. Delta held off lay-offs, encouraged benefitted retirement, is giving preference to impacted employees for transfers, and is offering to help impacted employees relocate easily.
I hear occasional talk about unions from airport customer service, flight attendants, and pilots, but I've never heard pro-union ACS conversations--just FAs and pilots. I'm not saying some ACS people want to be unionized; I'm just saying that I bet any effort by the IAM would fail miserably in today's culture. When the IAM tried getting the FAs onboard last year, I began noticing subtle (and blunt) marketing toward ACS employees against unions. I think Delta's being successful so far at keeping unions away from ACS. Whether I think that's good or bad, I won't say.
Feb 4, 2016 | 11:04 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM. 1MM
Posts: 2,151
Ironic that I was recently speaking to an agent by phone based in Cincinatti. I asked about the operation there and she said they were doing great and Delta was expanding the call center. Guess this article is focused solely on the Airport staff.
That stinks for the airport staff effected but it's not uncommon for businesses to expect a reduction in staff due to attrition. That's life. Delta is hardly the first and certainly won't be the last.
That stinks for the airport staff effected but it's not uncommon for businesses to expect a reduction in staff due to attrition. That's life. Delta is hardly the first and certainly won't be the last.
Feb 5, 2016 | 6:17 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: KARB
Programs: DL 2MM
Posts: 26,982
I'm not saying Delta is right-sizing CVG to stop pro-union employees from organizing.
I'm saying that it looks better to slowly get CVG's numbers down over 6 years (retirements and transfers out while not hiring in) than it does to gut CVG immediately and much more harshly 6 years ago. The ongoing action makes Delta look as pro-labor as an un-unionized company can be. Delta held off lay-offs, encouraged benefitted retirement, is giving preference to impacted employees for transfers, and is offering to help impacted employees relocate easily.
I hear occasional talk about unions from airport customer service, flight attendants, and pilots, but I've never heard pro-union ACS conversations--just FAs and pilots. I'm not saying some ACS people want to be unionized; I'm just saying that I bet any effort by the IAM would fail miserably in today's culture. When the IAM tried getting the FAs onboard last year, I began noticing subtle (and blunt) marketing toward ACS employees against unions. I think Delta's being successful so far at keeping unions away from ACS. Whether I think that's good or bad, I won't say.
I'm saying that it looks better to slowly get CVG's numbers down over 6 years (retirements and transfers out while not hiring in) than it does to gut CVG immediately and much more harshly 6 years ago. The ongoing action makes Delta look as pro-labor as an un-unionized company can be. Delta held off lay-offs, encouraged benefitted retirement, is giving preference to impacted employees for transfers, and is offering to help impacted employees relocate easily.
I hear occasional talk about unions from airport customer service, flight attendants, and pilots, but I've never heard pro-union ACS conversations--just FAs and pilots. I'm not saying some ACS people want to be unionized; I'm just saying that I bet any effort by the IAM would fail miserably in today's culture. When the IAM tried getting the FAs onboard last year, I began noticing subtle (and blunt) marketing toward ACS employees against unions. I think Delta's being successful so far at keeping unions away from ACS. Whether I think that's good or bad, I won't say.
Feb 5, 2016 | 7:01 am
#14
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, DL PM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,974
Hopefully none of the people I know are affected by the cuts. CVG has some of the best employees in the entire system. Always friendly, great with IRROPS, etc.
I do agree though that the airport has probably been overstaffed for a while now.
I do agree though that the airport has probably been overstaffed for a while now.
Feb 5, 2016 | 7:17 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM+(segs)/MM, UA Ag, Hilton DM, Marriott Ti (life Pt), TSA Opt-out Platinum
Posts: 3,366
I guess the attrition didn't work out. I, too, thought they had made these cuts already.
Utterly false. CVG is not union, and not in union negotiations. DL and any other company can cut employee levels whether they're union or not.
Reality time:
As much as you may hAAte it, the downsizing at CVG has nothing to do with organized labor. Those employees are not, have never been, nor wish to be, unionized. Furthermore, DL employee groups have voted against representation time and time again...and it hasn't been close. Why? Because they're better paid, have better working conditions, and because they're non-union, they don't have to put up with lazy and incompetent co-workers that the union would "protect" at the expense of good employees.
DL employees by and large aren't "malcontented" and it shows in their voting. There will always be some bad apples (mostly from pmNW) who want it to go back to the "old days", but thankfully they're a smaller and smaller minority every year. I'm sure the IAM will continue to waste its other paying member's dues to pursue DL (and other companies), but they'll continue to fail.
You should stick to AA if you want mAAlcontent employees!
Topic for another thread, but unions failed *themselves* in the 70s-80s. They got greedy and decided that instead of holding their own members accountable, providing a skilled/trained workforce and negotiating in good faith; they'd rather try to hold companies hostage in a race to the bottom. Didn't work out so well for them. Negative value to the company + negative value to the employees = Union membership down 75% in the last 35 years.
Note: I say all of this as a former IAM member. The IAM is a pathetic joke. Anyone who's looking for a union should find a better union.
CVG really isn't a large enough force in the DL system to justify that in isolation, at least. If anything it's a combination of DTW/MSP hubs, line stations, and malcontented employees at PMDL hubs who have been pushing for the IAM. If the IAM knew how to effectively run a campaign for DL (and B6) employees they would have been certified years ago. The IAM hasn't realized the tactics at NW, TW, and UAL no longer and will not work at DL. They haven't changed their organizing approach. And it would be against the law if it was discovered DL was closing this operation at CVG because of employee interest in organizing. Airlines and other employers certainly have taking action like this, but it's against the law.
Reality time:
As much as you may hAAte it, the downsizing at CVG has nothing to do with organized labor. Those employees are not, have never been, nor wish to be, unionized. Furthermore, DL employee groups have voted against representation time and time again...and it hasn't been close. Why? Because they're better paid, have better working conditions, and because they're non-union, they don't have to put up with lazy and incompetent co-workers that the union would "protect" at the expense of good employees.
DL employees by and large aren't "malcontented" and it shows in their voting. There will always be some bad apples (mostly from pmNW) who want it to go back to the "old days", but thankfully they're a smaller and smaller minority every year. I'm sure the IAM will continue to waste its other paying member's dues to pursue DL (and other companies), but they'll continue to fail.
You should stick to AA if you want mAAlcontent employees!
Topic for another thread, but unions failed *themselves* in the 70s-80s. They got greedy and decided that instead of holding their own members accountable, providing a skilled/trained workforce and negotiating in good faith; they'd rather try to hold companies hostage in a race to the bottom. Didn't work out so well for them. Negative value to the company + negative value to the employees = Union membership down 75% in the last 35 years.
Note: I say all of this as a former IAM member. The IAM is a pathetic joke. Anyone who's looking for a union should find a better union.