We have a few pilot groups in negotiations right now. Is anybody besides me worried that the other side is going to attempt to use coronavirus to squeeze the pilot groups?
I don’t just mean flying cutbacks - I’m not sure anyone expects the airlines to fly empty aircraft or violate government no-fly orders - I’m really talking about negotiating (or mediation/arbitration) tactics.
I recall the Alaska Airlines arbitrator who was convinced by management to slash salaries by 27%. The infamous “Richard Kasher decision,” was that salary reductions were necessary to “ensure profitability of the airline.”
https://www.seattletimes.com/busines...rlines-pilots/
Now nobody knows for sure just how the Coronavirus is going to turn out, but it’s doubtful the current chaos is going to go on more than another six months - if only because everybody susceptible will have already had it. But I can envision management trying to lock in a five year contract at lower rates by using coronavirus and the resulting slow down for leverage.