My biggest reasons for voting no would be the $700 million signing bonus over a whole contract cycle (probably our least expensive contract cycle since I’ve been here) plus the pay raises falling behind inflation. The retirement increases are following previous precedent except the fact that we missed a contract cycle. It’s obvious to me that inflation isn’t going to slow down enough to fall behind our future raises. I’m also disappointed in the deadhead section.

Moving DOS to January 1 pushed me back to yes as I don’t a better path forward with a no vote. There’s still a small gap in pay between retro and 18 percent taking effect. January 15th paycheck is based settlement check for December. This paycheck won’t be part of 14 percent retro or 18 percent raise.

I respect both sides. I can see reasons both ways which is probably why our MEC is so divided.