Originally Posted by
DogWhisperer
Just thinking out loud...letting my mind explore the what if's and deep thoughts...
Curious....retro is much like a tax return. The funds are out on loan until collected at the end of the tax season. Wouldn't a management that is worth anything have already budgeted in the cost of retro when costing out a contract agreement? If so, if a "NO" prevails, wouldn't said funds still be available in the company coffers for the next time? Also, if the retro comes this year with a "YES", isn't it taxed as regular W-2 income vs. a bonus tax rate that would apply to it being paid out next year? Does ALPA get a different amount of said payments if its paid as W-2 vs. a "Bonus"....
Taking a break from doodling for the DPA?
I'm sure the costs associated with the retro payout are well known, which probably has something to do with the voting window for MEMRAT.
Would
what be available next time? If we vote it down, there is no guarantee of
anything in the next TA. We would be in NMB limbo for a third time, and the Negotiating Committee would have to be replaced. I have met Linda Puchala. She could just look over her glasses and tell us
"retro wasn't important to you in 2016, so why should it be important to you in 2017?" We aren't going to get a lick of sympathy from anyone after we turn down a payday that is greater than the U.S. Median Household Income.
She could do that. How do you think she would react? I would also love to know how long you think it would take to reach a third TA. My prediction is 13 months.
I won't pretend to be a tax expert, but ALPA gets a straight 1.90%, doesn't matter how it is treated for tax purposes.