Fox
Respectfully I do..........but what is the Alternative?

We surely can settle for a substandard concessionary contract or.............What the Pilots need to know is............doing what is right now, just might prevent the Ultimate decsion in the future.

The alternative is to let the process work, get released, and strike if necessary. We also have to have the ability to accept a good contract, even though it may be what was expected.

Again with the hats? Oh yeah... I said before... chicks dig it.

How long are you willing to wait? MGT is in no hurry.
As to strike if necessary, the whole goal is to get a deal (the best deal possible) without going that far............................................... ...

What incentive does MGT have to "Pony up" if everything remains status quo?

BTW it could be 2 years or more before the NMB declares an impasse and we hit the 30 day cooling off period and are released for self help.

We need to do everything legal thing to pressure MGT into Ponying up...............well before that point..............that does two things

One ensures we tryed everything before asking the group to strike..
Two gets the best final offer possible form MGT,,,,,,,,,,,because when they hit self help, they can impose things from their final offer...............

I for one would want the best final offer I could get from them..before I had to walk.if it came to that!

Fox

I am not sure what "Good Contract" you are expecting. Often a person's intent or meaning is misunderstood on a forum. So please excuse/ forgive me if I misunderstood.

Are you suggesting the Company offer (Made directly to pilots around the NC)
from last year is a good offer?
Or are you suggesting that that offer would have passed if voted on by the membership?
If so... (and I respect your entitlement to your opinion) as you know, any TA reached will have to be ratified by the at least 51% of the membership...
(note I said membership) as non members do not get to vote...............

In my opinion, the last Company offer would have been dead on arrival as will the next one if proffered directly to the membership and by-passing the negotiating committee. BTW my opinion is backed up by the polling data released at the Rally last Sunday.

Knowing that the company will attempt to chip away at the membership.......trying to appeal to a senior group or the more junior group............this group cannot just sit by and allow the status quo...................................

Everyone knows what to do to get a better deal...................it is just that simple...................

I agree with you that it does have a cost. Just because I am not retiring in the next 5 years does not mean I would not love to be sucking up 150% trips to drink beer in Sydney. But if we are ever going to get anything out of this contract in the near future we can't continue to go out of our way to bail the company out.

Expectations
 

Fox after re-reading your post I have one more Point.

To answer your question concerning what the NC can expect to achieve for a Pilot retiring within 5 years, in other words what can they do for you.

1. How about protecting Retiree Healthcare?

2. How about a possible Lump sum out option?

3. How about better protecting the A-plan assets so you (Me too) don't wind up like the USAir or United Retirees who thought they had it made?........just ask Fireman about what it is like!

4. How about better joint survivor benefits for dependents after you "Fly west"? ( Hopefully you'll live to be 100, but just in case)

Four very important things to a Pilot planning on Retiring under our 2nd contract, wouldn't you agree?

1. ALPA has made it very clear that it does not represent retired pilots. We also have a large number of pilots that have their military retirement health benefits.

2. It is my understanding that the MEC/NC has taken the lump sum off the table.

3. Your "A" plan can only be protected if the company remains successful. UAL had their 2000 summer of love, had one of their famous leader state "We don't want to kill the Golden Goose, just squeeze the last Golden egg out. UAL, DAL, USAIR prove that the unions are powerless to protect pensions if things go bad at the company.

4. The joint survivor benefits are fine. My understanding is that we are looking for an unreduced pension for the 50% survivor benefit. I'm married so it would benefit me. If you are single it will be of no benefit, but that cost will come out of your pocket.

There are no guarantees in life as we have seen since 911. However, we work for a Fortune 500 company that is making so much money they can't hide it even from us. The "sky is not falling" at FedEx (thank God) even though they still want you to think it is. I'm sorry if this all does not exactly fit your every need in the next few years. The sad truth is that everyone is going to suffer if we can't stick together on even the little things like not flying draft and volunteer, 2+ years into contract negotiations.