Originally Posted by
smoothatFL410
....However, having said that, the TA vote will be, as always, a litmus test of how the NC and the EXCO did their job for the pilot group, which was what I was mentioning. They all approved it and sent it with recommendation to the pilots. Certainly not flaming anyone personally, but if the vote fails, that will be their fault, having missed what the pilots wanted and felt was important in a contract, simple as that.
Wish it was that simple. There are two sides to that negotiation, and the result is what BOTH finally agree to. It exists in a three-dimensional reality, with time (and everything that can be happening between 'then' and 'now') as the third dimension.
How often have we seen a 'best and final offer' be superseded by a new B&FO when something changes. For example: if a TA were voted down, and the company wants to put a protracted negotiation time behind them. Think variously: UAL, AA and Southwest recently.
If the vote fails, it may have been that the TA was the best they could get from the Company
right then, not that they failed their members' wishes and dreams.
Presenting a guaranteed-to-fail TA to members may also be a company way of dragging their heels, yet another negotiating tactic on their side.
A vote-down may cause the NC and EXCO folks to say (a.) Well, I failed my membership. (b.) Did the best we could at the time, sonsab$%^& just wouldn't play ball, (c.) I've had enough of this crap from members who don't appreciate my efforts, (d.) It's time for more quality time with my family, (e.) Maybe the next group of NC and EXCO folks will have better luck. Here are the keys to the Corvair.
Probably more than one, and perhaps all, of the above. Too complex to be considered 'simple.'