I never heard anyone pro union or not say it was a bonus for our efforts. Even the lead negotiator for the union didn't say that. He and others in the union have said that the bonus is something the company wants to attach and that if we didn't accept it, we wouldn't be getting all of it in salary or other payment and that it would be money left on the table if we said no to including the bonus. I don't like the bonus system, but if it keeps us from leaving money on the table, I guess I'll accept it. I guess I can believe there may be some fools that you heard say it was a bonus for good work, but they would be in the extreme minority.

I don't believe the bonus is what has kept us from getting both QOL and improved pay in the former contracts. I believe the bonus helped settle the contracts, but the union surveys that asked what we wanted always indicated that pay was much more important for the majority so that is what the negotiators went for. The surveys for the current negotiations showed much more desire for QOL improvements than ever before so they are trying to force some of that before even getting to the money sections. Basically, we have been our own worst enemies in the past for QOL gains and that is now changing. I have strong doubts that we will see much improvement for QOL, but at least we are actually trying this time around.