Originally Posted by
EskimoJoe
Im hardly resigned to a “substandard life”. I’ve worked hard outside of aviation to build a significantly abundant life. That’s what happens when you put all the energy spent banging your head against the RLA wall on something more productive. I never think about work when I’m away and I couldn’t tell you who my base chief is. I don’t care. That said. I’m down for a full on strike if we ever get released to self help. I’ll give that a .00000110 chance of happening. History would certainly suggest that.
Don’t forget about the gift of The Presidential Emergency Board. Clinton knew what that is as he used it against APA. Anyway. Facts still remain facts. We’re in mediation and Gerry Mcguckin is going to let management waste as much time as they want. They always do. Some of you suggest that there’s some secret recipe to short circuit the RLA…if we were “tougher” somehow, we’d get our way. Nope. You’d just bankrupt the union “getting tough”. I can provide you with case histories on that one if anyone would like. Like I said. I know this contract sucks. I’m glad to see newer people moving on in historical droves. I won’t vote yes unless this contract is a total rewrite. I’m not the one that needs convincing. If the “new guard” is doing such a bang up Job, why is Gerry Mcguckin mediating our negotiations? What’s the secret recipe? Waiting with bated breath…
Well I guess that’s the million dollar question now isn’t it. And, yeah, I’ve gotta side gig that’s doing pretty good as well. But while you’re puttin the onus on everyone here tryin to make fair points, come up with a plan, work within the shizzle sandwich and try and be condescending to anyone who’s ready to make whatever sacrifices they CAN make, you’re gonna need to explain how literally every other airline using the same POS RLA, somehow managed to get it done better than Alaska.
Seems from all the legacies I’ve talked with about it, there’s a myriad of reasons. I’m not one to point the finger and blame the past. But, good gravy dude, you got line pilots all the way up to the top of the Union pointing out deficiencies, trying to stay unified, work the system, be tactical, be measured, be transparent, remedy the pitfalls that plagued the past, and your response to that is to tell em they’re all just a bunch of whiners.
Hell we can get THAT message from BM himself! Standing with a strike if it comes to that?! You’re most likely correct. Very little chance we get to that. So your “I’ll vote no, no matter what.” And your “I’ll honor a strike”…. TODAY…. Right now? Those are useless. What are you doing TODAY to facilitate change…. Other than telling everyone pointing out the obvious that they are a bunch of whiners who don’t know how futile the RLA is and the only way to have a decent life at Alaska is having a second career in some sort of financial investment. What are YOU doing?
Cya at the picket on April 1? Or is that a stupid idea too?