Originally Posted by
UGBSM
I'm willing to give up pay % for other QOL items like more vacation, fully paid medical insurance, better sick leave - like maybe lets tack on some PTO days in there! Retiree healthcare, increases to retirement plans. Any tax advantaged pay like perhaps stock options in lieu of pay. And the sooner, the better. The clock is ticking as you approach retirement age. Which A LOT of us are.
I understand these are all senior "old guy" wishes. Young guys with 25 or 30 years to go just want more money, and they are willing to hold out for it.
Im not talking about gutting anything. I've never really seen a better negotiating environment than we have now. The stockholders, executives, and other employees have been well taken care of. It's our turn now and I think we will do well if we can avoid being too confrontational and greedy.
But some just want a fight. They want payback, vengeance, resentments to settle. They've never seen a better environment than this for that now too. I just think that is foolish.
The red part above is not my view at all and I have 30+ years to go. If we negotiate pay rate increases and concessions every 3 years I will retire with a PWA that has good pay rates and only a few additional pages to support all the other sections. I would vote yes for no pay rate increases if it meant my W2 went up (not from advancement to other planes, upgrade to CA or flying more days) a good chunk every year. I want the "soft" money so my 30+ years at Delta is enjoyable for my family and doesn't kill me in the process. More of what you said in your first paragraph, please.