Originally Posted by
PanelApe
The notion that senior guys enjoyed all of these quality of life issues up until now….and suddenly as they approach retirement are willing to give it away is absolute folly. Every single contract we have signed at FedEx has had some things given away that we didn’t like…..Lie Flat Seats, Separate Per Diem Checks, Accepted fares, the list is long. We have never opened a TA and felt overwhelming joy because we got everything we wanted and the company got nothing. That isn’t reality.
Why wasn’t retirement important until now? Retirement was an issue on EVERY contract….we wanted improvements to retirement on each and every one of them. There was not a single contract negotiated where that item wasn’t challenged. We got some improvements - the B fund, improvements to the B fund. Did we get the bump in the Defined Benefit Plan….nope. FedEx has been clear that they don’t want to be in the DB business. They still don’t want to have DB.
it’s a negotiation…….not a summary list of our demands to be litigated while the company gets nothing. That’s the reality. My money is on the fact that when we do indeed get a contract…..it will leave a bad taste in our mouths and very few people will be overwhelmed with joyous celebration. Just like the last 3 I’ve seen here.
Pay rates and retirement shouldn’t be a negotiation in the context of inflation. The DB plan loses value every year, and now many of us have accepted the notion that we have to negotiate/concede other contract items simply to maintain value/purchasing power. Essentially the company is making gains every contract cycle, and we, at best, are maintaining the status quo in some areas and making concessions in other areas. It’s ridiculous.
And if you think every contract requires concessions, then explain how Delta negotiated a TA with no concessions.