Originally Posted by
Privateer89
If you think that the clause is a non starter then vote NO. If you think that the company is bluffing then vote No. if you think that 10% is unreasonable then vote no. I’m with ya, but do you really want to go picket because the company is ASKING you for 1/10th of your very good salary when the US airline industry is collectively losing around 10B/Quarter?
SWA is the most financially prudent airline in history, which is why many of us came here. There is so much uncertainty right now that I would’ve been surprised if they didn’t come asking for concessions. The reason investors go for our convertible bonds or purchase our shares during tough times is because of our fiscal responsibility. Gary is walking a tight rope with a board and shareholders to answer to. I, for one, believe that every month is getting better and next year will look different. Bastian is predicting that Delta will be cash burn zero by spring. If they are, then we will be also. I believe that VSP, EXTO, ETO, and natural attrition will leave us thin staffed by next summer. They want all pilots on hand in order to attack weaker airlines. Why furlough pilots in Jan when you are likely to need them 6 months later? It doesn’t make mathematical sense.
I understand that the company needs to be cautious and I respect the wording from the union. Deferments over concessions. History at other airlines has shown that the culture changes for the worse any time a concession is given or taken in a bankruptcy. A lot of efficiencies noticed due to motivated employees begin to disappear. So motivate us, treat us like investors in LUV. If they want us to invest 10% in our airline, then give us a chance to earn a rate of return on that investment with some form of stock/warrant/option. Some NO concessions folks may not entertain this, and I get that. But it’s all the language for me.
they’re not asking because it helps the company, they’re asking because they can use the current situation to justify a pay cut for pay cut’s sake. I will be a furloughee and my vote is no.
the mechanics refused to bring it to a vote. What if we take cuts and the FAs don’t, or the other way around. either furloughs don’t happen because they need to fly the schedule or the lack of staffing in one group is reason for force majeure and they furlough the group that took concessions anyway. This is a very likely scenario.
PS. It’s not ten percent of our salary, it’s an additional ten percent on top of approximately 20% we’ve already endured due to over-hiring and the max debacle. That’s enough.