Originally Posted by
blue vortex
I am a former NW guy and I am voting yes. I have seen this show before (circa 96-98) with these guys. If we vote this down they will string us out for 3 years. We will never see the 8% from JUL 1 to the end of the year. They won't care about the contract, hell it doesn't expire for 6+ mos anyway. Southwest has been negotiating for 3 years and their mgmt. couldn't care less. RA and EB will just shut all contract talks down, we wouldn't hear from them. That is what RA did in 96 when he was the #2 guy at NW. Please don't forget RA was Lorenzo's protégé.
They only reason DL got such a fine contract in 2000 was it was on the backs of UALs work. Sure they 777 rate came first as the Delta dot, but UAL didn't want a strike and the MEC chairman orchestrated a semi-meltdown of UAL in order to secure the fantastic rates.
I think we are risking a lot here for a small potential reward. I don't like the TA, but it is the best contract in the industry. UAL and AMR already have the 75% OE pull. Nothing in life is perfect, that's why I'm voting yes. I am taking the calculated, conservative approach by voting that way.
I respect those who will vote note, hopefully my views will be respected here.
Please keep in mind that we well get a portion of that 8% with the 3B4 protections already set in place with our current contract. No they will not come on Jul 1 but will come nonetheless.
The other pay raises are self funded with the partial loss of profit sharing (for ALL employees) and redefining the 3B4 formula to include our profit sharing, thus virtually eliminating any gain from the new TA 3B4 protection.
With the measly JV payout to the BH provision bringing the company into immediate compliance, along with the sick leave, LCA cutout, etc etc there is NO WAY I can vote for this.
Please look past the immediate 8% to all the concessions, and the fact that our present 3B4 gives us a portion of that pay raise.