Originally Posted by
Timbo
A year ago I was taking a tour of out MEC Offices while in ATL for "P2P Training". While there we were introduced to a member of the negotiating committee. I don't remember his name but he was former North, I know most of the South guys.
Anyway, he said -we- (? who, ME?) ought to consider paying 100% of all retiree's heal care premiums. "That's why guys are flying past age 60, they don't want to pay extra for their insurance. If you guys want to move up, you need to entice them to leave."
I'm thinking he was referring to North guys who have a frozen DB plan, and still flying over age 60.
I don't know what mechanisim he was thinking of using for that, ie. negotiate it into Section 6 or via an assesment or something. Like that's going to happen!?!
I think it is time for ALPA to step up on a national level, engage other pilot unions and find a coop for a health care plan that would do just that, bridge these guys. I would pay $25/mo to move the lead at the top, that $25 would be realized 10 fold in upward movement. But it takes vision on ALPA's part (I put it in my survey and talked at length about it during two phone surveys).
I have a strong feeling many would agree with this type of assessment, I just think it should be reasonable and effective. Just sayin...