Originally Posted by FDXAV8R

I posted this on another TA Message string but I think it fits here too:
I have talked to a lot of junior guys who got hired into a widebody right seat and already have their "bonus" money spent. All they are looking at is the "bonus" money (really back pay we are owed) and the new pay rates. I have also talked to a lot of other guys who are afraid to vote no because they feel like anything is better than nothing and they have no faith in the union leadership our their fellow crewmembers.

Please help these crewmembers to consider the entire picture before they vote yes to a 10 year deal which I think significantly undervalues our contribution and has far too many concessions. I say we vote the TA down first and then immediately recall all the officers that voted yes and replace them with the no votes as our core leadership. Maybe flying the line will help the yes voters to understand why we want better pay and improvement to QOL. I think that would send a clear message to the mediator and the company about where we stand.

I don't think we will ever be in a stronger position to get what we have earned. Can you blame FedEx for offering us this POS decade long contract extension, littered with concessions. Hell we have voted in every other one and this group has never stood up to the company even once. I'd rather make 25% more on every trip and have a clear conscience than make 50% more on a couple of trips and feel dirty. It is personal choice we all have to make and live with, I actually have faith in my fellow crewmembers. I like and trust the people I fly with and I know we the most professional crewforce in the industry and fly in the most challenging environments. I literally put my life in your hands on a routine basis.

Come on we all know we are working harder, more legs, shorter layovers, unreasonable deadheads, no weekend layovers, more garbage trips and no city purity, plus management has gotten much more adversarial with us. The company is making record profits and management is getting theirs and I don't blame them, I just want mine too. I don't want to hurt FedEx I just want a pay raise, not just cost of living raise, I want some work rule improvements not concessions, and I want to protect the value of my benefits and my retirement. I don't think that is unreasonable and it is not much different from what we see management doing for themselves. We are in an environment that I am not willing to give up anything for free. This deal and the people who brought it to us (negotiators and yes votes) have to go. I have a spine and I plan to use it. Adios fellas and It is a definite "NO" vote for me. I can't wait to hear the sales pitch and excuses our leadership will offer us. I'm sure it will be polished and professional, just remember no matter how much you sugar coat a sh*t ball it is still a sh*t ball.