Originally Posted by
QuagmireGiggity
So what do you think will happen if it goes to arbitration ?
We will get a cost neutral award essentially identical to the existing MTA.
How will it be better than what's offered?
It won't. The arbitrated award would be worth roughly $1.5 billion less over the next 5 years. It would however probably be "better" than the company's offer in the following ways:
1) It would expire a year earlier so we get to revisit the contract sooner.
2) It would preserve a provision which maintain staffing at a slightly higher level (more jobs) by keeping domestic and international divisions separate. There's also the HBT exception although it's unclear if that results in less or more jobs, since the company HBT proposal may result in more international flying overall.
3) It would maintain E190 pay at it's current ratio to Group II pay. The company's offer is a slightly lower pay ratio for the E190. (Note, however, that with the current company offer a E190 pilot will still make more money than with an arbitrated award, just that Group II will pay even more again.)
4) It would maintain our current reserve language (reasonably available via ground transportation) vs. "Promptly available". Net effect is unclear.
5) It would prevent midnight sims for landing currency.
Serious question I'm not understanding the process here of how the pilots can come out ahead.
Looks like the Jan 3 deadline is here.
The "no voters" would have you believe that the company is so desperate for a negotiated contact, that if we vote no, the company will come crawling back with a better offer and it will not go to arbitration. Arbitration is *clearly* not in the pilots' best interest, but the no voters believe that the company is bluffing and that negotiations are not over.
It is my understanding that the Jan 3rd deadline is for the board to act, and if they chose to send it for member ratification the deadline will be extended to allow for voting.