Originally Posted by
reeeeeeegional
If you decertify, then where is the leverage for eventual endgame and release?
Every other pilot group uses pilot negotiators. This is not rocket science. And the notion of a "skilled negotiator" weaving a magic spell and leading the company into agreement is a pure fantasy, and betrays a lack of understanding of how the process actually works.
Every other pilot group uses pilot negotiators. What is sometimes needed is a talented ADVISOR.
Anyone who thinks going it alone is a wise move should cite an example where decertification and bringing in some sort of negotiations ninja closed the deal. There is no "talking the company into it", you will get the deal when they need the deal, or when you get released.
Our leverage is long gone. The introduction of the retainer bonus has fundamentally changed our strategic position. We've lost our bargaining power.
What's frustrating is that upon its introduction, neither our union leadership nor many of our colleagues who focus heavily on ”process” seemed to grasp this reality. Rather than moving things forward quickly, both AR and GU have actually been making the process move more slowly. The situation is almost beyond words.
As for the management's negotiation team - they're not particularly exceptional. Their approaches have been fairly standard, nothing innovative. However, they were operating under the assumption that they'd be dealing with a reasonable negotiating committee from our side. I imagine they're as bewildered as I am by how we keep undermining our own position. The whole situation seems almost unbelievable.
I'm genuinely curious - could you identify who this supposedly "talented advisor" is or was that we're working with?
Happy Holidays