Originally Posted by
FedUpWilson318
The time to replace the NC WAS last summer. Should have been job one for MEC after the TA failed. But the then-MEC and then-current reps wouldn't do it. It took a grass-roots movement and long process to recall, re-elect, and change out reps to get even close to refreshing the NC. That said, I think you are correct that given the time it took, coupled with NMBs current timeline, makes now the WRONG time to sack the NC.
Agreed. But our reps continue to try to replace the NC now.
Originally Posted by
FedUpWilson318
As far as could someone else have done better? IMO, absolutely. Someone without a SINGULAR focus on the A-plan, to the detriment of the rest of the sections in the CBA and the lower portions of the seniority list. Increased A-plan: good! Increased a-plan by accepting industry lagging pay, QOL concessions, and splitting the crew force for decades: BAD! Whether the blame lies with CN or PM is debatable but irrelevant to me, PM owns it. AGAIN, I agree now's not the time, but yes, someone else could have done better.
The NC does not operate in a vaccuum. It is operated at direction of the MEC, whose goal was fixing the A plan. We spent 8 years trying to find a solution and TA1 was it. Yet, many of our reps are not satifisfied with the retirement improvements. They want further pension raises, in addition to scope, QOL, and pay issues addressed. Trying to get everything they want will take years, and cost us a contract cycle while we live on 2020 pay rates.
Fixing the concessions in TA1 and fixing pay should be the goal. Not a total rewrite.
Originally Posted by
FedUpWilson318
Others have pointed out that a failed TA doesn't necessarily make for leverage. I wish it did, but in reality it's just more time paying us old rates, and more time to sow dissention and split us further leading to a 50+1 vote next time. I hope that's not the case but current sentiment across the various social media factions don't give me confidence.
The rejected TA was a black eye for the company. They might be saving money, but they are also trying to grow market share against a competitor that has zero labor issues currently. They have some incentive to get a deal done.