Tuck,
Well thought out response to Albie. Although I see things more in his direction. To answer your question, no I wouldn't advocate the 3% forever to stay out of section 6, but I do advocate to take this one. The reason is I believe what the negotiating committee is telling me and I think progress is being made. If the information being sent out was stag net, then I'd be with you. Next January, hopefully it will be very close. So when we do go to section 6 it is almost a stroke of the pen. I just don't think we will be any closer next January if we go to section 6 now. I actually think the bad blood would slow down the process. JMHO. Although a risk, I think we have a unique opportunity to try to work in good faith towards a better contract. We have a bunch of firsts going on with the new sheriff in town.

Not sure how many contract negotiations you have been through here, but we are still relatively young compared to others. I have been here since the very first which got voted down and then took almost 3 years to get one that was essentially the same. The only reason I reference this is although I think many need to get over it, there is still a lot of bad blood amongst ourselves over growing pains from past contracts/negotiations. Also, we are finally having some of the super koolaid drinkers retire (the I remember Fred coming to the christmas party) guys and leadership (captains) roles replaced with more people that believe in unification of the crew force.

I guess I cautiously optomitstic about this round and think we have a chance to make it better but by angering the majority of the crew force (toward the union) by turning this down right now would not be the prudent thing to do.
JMHO
Pakage