Originally Posted by
DashTrash
What I want is a deal that is a forward move, not a lateral move when most of the airlines are reporting record profits. Pay scales are very much a secondary consideration for me. Work rules, job security, and retirement are primary concerns for me. I look at a contract in its totality. I completely understand that this is a negotiation and we don't just get to demand what we want. Everything has a cost to it (for both parties).
Second, the FedEx deal...
The only thing that I can see that is really not acceptable is their retirement proposal. No changes to the "A" fund which means that because of adjustments for inflation means that what they get upon their retirement will not have that much buying power (especially for pilots getting hired now and retiring in 20-30 years). A low (I think about 9%) B fund. Industry standard is 16%.
I agree with what you say about negotiation, and I think those at FedEx who were highly disappointed, were expecting gains in every section, and no "efficiencies" or givebacks whatsoever. Because the company is doing so well, they expected an exceptional contract. However, FedEx has always been a slow and steady move forward, we have never ended up with a contract that excited us, nor horrified us (in my opinion).
I believe many people consider it a win that we were able to keep the A fund for new hires, and didn't get ours frozen, like what they imposed upon the rest of the company. Others disagree, and think status quo shouldn't be considered a gain, however I think there was no budging on the A fund. They are trying to shed those responsibilities. Regardless, it's still a 130K/year pension, which isn't chump change, even in 20-30 years. But they should have moved the ball forward further than 9% with the B plan.
Good luck to you guys! I hope your negotiations are more successful than everyone elses have been.