Originally Posted by
fcoolaiddrinker
It would be more accurate to say costs are agreed upon first. Last round that took 6ish months. It shouldn’t take as long this time due to the fact there’s now more standard alpa language than last time. Alpa can draw from historical data and has way more of that data. That’s what happened at f9 last negotiation cycle. The software cost. That would take 1 day to agree upon.
Bro, what you are referring to IS the negotiation process.
The cost of LTD is negotiated. It’s a back and forth. It’s a we ask for X and the company agrees or counters with X - some amount. And the back and forth continues.
And, I’m sure you realize that the TERMS of each area dictate the costs. Some costs are easier to calculate- like our pay rate or medical /dental company share or LTD. But other areas, not so much. If Premium were to be agreed upon that it starts at 200% (vs the 150 it is now), then that increased COST can be argued as to how much it totals from either side. Since the company controls the amount of (or lack of) premium offerings, that cost is highly debatable (and is where historical data comes in). As are several other areas of the contract. How much is a change to the reserve system? Well, it depends on the change. Which is the entire negotiation.
The costs are not agreed to PRIOR to negotiation, they ARE the negotiation.
Smh