<< Folks, we need to clean house ... >>
Hear, hear. Frankly, I consider our NC and MEC to be in material breach of their fiduciary duty to the membership not to sit down and negotiate anything with the company until they are thoroughly informed on all aspects of the issues to be negotiated. I would also go so far as to characterize their lax preparation in advance of tackling this LOA as prima facie evidence of negligence in the execution of their duties, and demonstrating willful and wanton disregard of the consequences of their inattention on the members.
A few examples:
- "3 hours by van to Guangzhou ..." HKG hotel desk staff says at least 5 hours; friend who just drove it from Kowloon to CAN airport says 5-6+, in good weather, and longer at night, when trucks are clogging the road.
- Being unaware that an E1 gets a HOA/COLA that is more than double what the LOA offers.
- Being unaware of the high cost of schooling, and the fact that other foreign-based companies pay ALL the costs of this schooling.
- Being unaware that other foreign-based companies pay ALL the costs of housing for their overseas employees.
- Being unaware that rental apartments count the area from the front door to the elevator, plus any balcony or patio, in their total stated square footage.
- Being unaware that apartments require at least 3 months' deposit to move in, and the agent who finds you the place gets another month's rent in commission -- payable by the renter.
- Being unaware that most companies who post employees overseas pay ALL of the employee's foreign taxes, thereby allowing the employee to enjoy the full benefit of the $82,400 Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.
- Being unaware that other companies pay for round-trip plane tickets at least once a year for family members to return to the U.S.
- Considering 500 lbs. of household goods to be sufficient to set up a home.
- Thinking it acceptable to force a crewmember to be away from home and family without being paid duty rig for the entire time away.
This is admittedly only a partial list, but it's plenty enough to justify a recall.