Originally Posted by HVYMETALDRVR

I don't think you guys should get too hyped up on the pay rates. I agree that the hourly is weak, the pay bands are stupid, and we just need one flat rate. But the actually hourly rates aren't what is going to make or break a contract for us.

The real meat is in the work rules, which we don't know much about yet, although the union has said the company won't budge much in this category.

I would accept the pay band 4 pay rates as a flat rate IF we had the following work rules as a bare minimum.

1. Line bidding

2. Min of 15 off on a 31 day month/14 off in a 30 day month

3. Short call reserve of at least 2 hours and Long call reserve of 12 hours (50% of call RSV lines are Long call). RSV's must be called in reverse seniority, see #12)

4. 4 flight pay hour minimum daily rig

5. At least two blocks of four days OFF consecutive per month

6. TDY, VBD, HOM base whatever you want to call it, is at least 20 days ON 10 days OFF consecutive or better for commuters.

7. No vacation blackout weeks, and double the vacation accrual rate that we have now with no limits to how much vacation you can carry from year to year

8. NO junior manning. Period.

9. 200% pick-up on days off/mission modes

10. The ability to bid on training days and the 4 hour rig applies to training as well.

11. 100% DH pay

12. 100% clarity in merlot (or whatever software the company uses to see #of RSVs and schedules in other bases etc. no exceptions)

13. 2.00/hr per diem or better

14. Improved retirement contribution and Medical

There are other things of course, but for me to take anything the company offers seriously I pretty much need to see all of the above.

If not, I don't care if the CA pay rates clear 200/hr, it's a NO vote from me.