Originally Posted by
Spaceman Spliff
OK, here's the deal. NWA/DAL expects the merger to create, what $1 billion in "synergies?"
Here's the deal. They can't do it without the us. They can't do it without being able to shuffle planes/bases, etc.
We won't be able to vote on the SLI. This is our only chance to utlize leverage. Yes, even in this environment, we have leverage, and plenty of it.
Let's get more. Let's get paid in advance instead of vague promises for future payoffs that never, EVER get fulfilled.
Let's vote against this. Managment is going to get paid millions. We need more now, not later.
They cannot do this without us. Let's go on the offensive and flex our leverage. We've been waiting for the chance to do this. We are the only two companies (other than SWA) who can seriously challenge managment for more money NOW. Let's get it.
I think in this case management might have a little more leverage than the pilot unions. I say this because the deal is already going ahead. The only the type of leverage the pilot unions have, at this point, is the power to further induce financial strain on the new company.
The company could always refuse any type of pay raises for its' pilots, then we'll all be left to the powers that be at ALPA/Arbitration. The arbitration will create a SLI that either the NWA or the DAL pilots are unhappy with. This will create hostility and discord amongst the pilot ranks, during which there will be no type of contract improvements.
If we are fighting amongst ourselves over SLI for the next few years we will not be able to negotiate the type of contract improvements we all deserve.