Originally Posted by
waterboy
Reading your reply makes me cringe. Because I really hope not all AS pilots feel this way. I think it's this mentality that upsets most VX pilots. And its this mentality that has let management "win" for the last 15 years. That "there is nothing better", " This is the best we can get.","there is nothing we can do about it", "we have no leverage". If that is what you truly believe, then you are destined to get a sub par contract. And I agree with you 100% about them wanting to maintain control. I saw it when Tk and BM sent out the letter about orange lanyards. And to my surprise, the pilots stopped wearing them. That was pathetic.
At my last airline we were in negotiations for a very long time. And the company came at us with a "last, final, best offer" Our union told them to shove it. In the end we ended up with a very nice contract. The work rules were far better at my previous airline in the new contract than here at VX or AS.
I'm ready to embrace the suck for years during contract 2020 because in the long run, it'll pay off. But it wont come easy. And as much as Ben and Brad want to tell us they cant afford to pay us, they can.
Sorry that reality is cringe-worthy in your mind but facts are facts. Again, I've voted NO on every contract that has come up. I did my part. Alaska Management are masters of maintaining control. They don't negotiate. They'll sit there and stare blankly at our negotiators for month after month. We are never going to be released to strike. Never. That is not an option and management has zero fears of that happening...nor should they. It won't happen.
What are your suggestions? I'd love to hear what the magic "bad ass" bullet is to for management to acquiesce to your demands.