Originally Posted by
pilotpayne
I have always said the RLA is the real problem, but it’s the current system to get what we want so we have to play the game.
And that's the bigger reason why we shouldn't have stopped the picket, in my opinion. We need to demonstrate that we act on principles and not just the cost/benefit analysis of the time. We are far stronger as a union acting on principles because then the enemy will fear reprocussions more often. Right now they are only motivated if their manipulation of pay, contract language, and timing is unpopular. In a very real sense, they are 100% in control and we are merely reacting to it. This is the fatal flaw of the Vietnam style escalation strategy. You want overwhelming defeat, not just enough to accomplish an immediate objective.
The bigger game is to change the RLA and to show that we are principled force willing to use our weapons of war. You can't negotiate with a bully unless you give them a good punch in the face first. In order for us to be a market force, we must demonstrate principled action that becomes too costly for an airline to engage with. Look at the backlash companies like Starbucks get because a guy got kicked out.. now they opened the bathrooms to everyone. They rather not engage people because they realized the cost is too high. That is the position we must put ourselves in not just to straighten out BJ but also the industry.
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