Originally Posted by Mooner

Pay attention. This argument is structured around pay only to simplify it enough that a non-wonk can understand it. It’s the concept, not the details of ratifiable TA.

Work rules and benefits have their own models for costing. Some productivity gives can have value that offset the concession. Some benefit increases can offset other concessions.

What I’m saying is modest changes in overall productivity (work rules, benefits, etc) coupled with modest cost of living indexed pay raises can yield vastly superior results over the duration of a career. It requires discipline and a willingness to move on from past failures. Insisting on getting it all back is a losing strategy and fails every time and will fail this time as well.