Originally Posted by
Flaps50
I'd actually argue that not getting A380 pay rates was a blessing in disguise for this current negotiation because now every WB pilot A300/MD11/B767 at FedEx will make B777 industry leading rates. By splitting out the B777 into it's own rate the rest of the WB pilots at FedEx would be making less on this contract, and the only rate they would have pegged to be the industry leader would have been the B777. I believe that would have been the likely scenario.
Remember we turned down ULR at 11 hours when the B777 came on line because we had to improve the B777 rate. We ended up with neither so it didn't work out too well for us on that one...
But, we ended up with neither because of 4.A.2.b. How could we consider passing the long range premium (was it at 11.5 hours) 777 LOA when faced with what the company was doing at the time.
My whole perception of how I think about this TA (look for the worst interpretation and assume the company will exploit) is colored by two major things:
1) the seemingly unbelievably poor track record we have with grievances and how few we actually even try to fight as a union
2) 4A.2.b--the company did what they wanted and the union said that wasn't the meaning behind what we agreed to.
So, when I read the NC missive of the 17th where they explain deviation bank will be higher, I just don't believe that will be practice because of plain language in the TA.
Fool me once....