Originally Posted by
johnso29
Carl,
Just look at contract negotiations over the last 10 years. Many airlines spent 5 years minimum in Sec 6. It took Pinnacle 5+ years. RAH has been in negotiations longer then that. I believe TranStates was in Sec 6 for 5+ years as well. Heck, how long was AirTran in negotiations before they brought ALPA in? How long has UsAir been in Sec 6? These are just a few examples.
I'm not saying that we will be stuck in Sec 6, but it has happened to quite a few airlines lately. Many are in Sec 6 now, & management is able to use the RLA to drag things out.
There's 2 very big differences in our case johnso:
1. We are more profitable than the industry's pay leader right now. It's not like we're asking for this from one of these other companies you mention who are in dire financial straits. Our company is not in dire straits PRIMARILY because of the cooperation and give-backs by pilots.
2. All of the above examples you mention had direct negotiations going on for years before any NMB involvement. That can't happen with us because our contract stipulates NMB involvement 90 days after our contract's amendable date. This precludes management from dragging their feet.
Do you not think these represent two very big differences between us and any other recent Section 6?
Carl