Originally Posted by
Davetastic
I don't think there is anybody that "supports" the "amalgamation" as it has been coined. It is the successorship section of the CBA. It is just what we are stuck with at this point. I think the frustration comes from knowing that since we are destined to lose this "minor" dispute in the eyes of an arbitrator, why are we delaying the inevitable? The answer is because our union leadership would rather risk the viability of the airline and it's relationship with valuable business partners to perpetuate attrition. I understand it, I just don't agree. IMO, it won't change the path nor the substance of the negotiations. In this day and age during this unprecedented time in our industry, I think diplomacy would have yielded greater results. If anything were to happen that resulted in the loss of a contract, the union is at risk of liability for condoning the SHOP and BOOT and perhaps even for just the perception that the union condoned such a hard line stance from the labor group and perhaps we could all be out of jobs. You think BK cares? NO! He is retired.
I can tell you why... So you wanted to Amalgamate 2.4 years ago? Ok... I hope you enjoy your 2.5% match on your 401k (Southern had no retirement at that time). Accept a 50-50 merger on work rules 2 years ago because that's all you were getting before mass attrition started. A 5 year deal with the Amalgamation clause still in there so they can buy Centurion.
All of that would've been in there if we'd agreed to merge rules with Southern 2+ years ago and we'd have been riding coach on those long international flights as those weren't "(ACMI) Industry Standard" prior to Kalitta getting their new contract. That certainly would've been pulled as we were the only ACMI carrier to have it and it started to cost the company a ton of money that year. If you go back and read earnings calls Flynn was pressed on the travel costs and blamed them on new hires going to training when we had record open time that Spring due to a strike on the West Coast that shut down shipping.
By the way... Did I mention Kalitta's new contract wasn't here? So... Merge with Southern's rates... Now you're getting $120 an hour on the 767 as a Captain... Until we Merge with Centurion or Amerijet in 2021...
That was the deal 2+ years ago. But why delay things...
Right now Southern is at least on our retirement plan and the company may (probably will) eventually put them on our contract and we'd force them into Section 6 whether they like it or not. We're very close to that right now as nobody will work at Southern as a new hire. Heck... We're having trouble filling classes at Atlas and as we speak a 767 Captain who recently upgraded just texted me his CJO from FedEx.
That's why you don't agree to Amalgamate.