PicklePausePull

Just as the same 32% said over a year ago, we have sacrificed the leverage we had over the FDA's in Europe for a measly 3% (maybe 6%) pay raise because the company and our union did not wish to "risk" spending capital on the potential new crew rest rules. All the time, our company was working with UPS for a cargo cut-out, which they now have achieved.

Seems to me we once again have discovered that the 68% just don't understand the art of negotiation!

FreightDawgyDog

More like the 100% have never figured out on their own that all they have to do is their job, at 100% and nothing more. That is where your true leverage lies. If this crew force ever really grasped that, outsides of a few bases that did last time, we could write our own contract. Stop blaming the the union for our shortcomings as individuals and start talking about where our real unity could give us max leverage without ever breaking any self help rules. Sacrifices would have to be made short term by those that rely on C/O, DFT and VLT but the contract would be done in short order. Take the 3% and start working on the 100% all working together for the good of the group. The greediest among us are leaving and we need to replace them with those that look out for each other and not themselves. We can be our own best friend or worst enemy. The union or the company have no control over that..

Gunga Gulanga is my Christmas gift to you..

So you have that going for you..which is nice..

livindadream

Finally, someone that gets it!!!

All the leverage issues in the world (777, FDA, etc...) are worth only as much as the solidarity of the pilot group. Until every one of us understands that the only TRUE LEVERAGE we have is our Feet... And our willingness to use them to walk out the door for what we believe is fair.

As long as Management believes that many or most of us won't do that, we will continue to get crap. As said above, when people accepted draft during 4A2B, the company got a great measure of our weakness. We have too many greedy selfish SOBs on this seniority list to count on any real unity.

The company knew what they were willing to pay for the FDA LOA and weren't going to pay a dime more. No real way to know that number, because in their back pocket was the current contract that allowed them to open it under the old rules. Their only dilemma was how junior they were willing to let the domicile go. There are way too many guys that would have taken it without the new terms and there are enough guys on the streets willing to suck it up for a few years to work here.

BACK ON TOPIC.....

My understanding is that it's about a 6/7 split on the MEC right now.. This is bad! The 6 need to be called out if they vote against the desires of the members. They work for us and sometimes they need a harsh reminder of that fact....

Pakagecheck

Shack! Perfectly stated Ldd! And yes, the MEC does need to be held accountable!

FDXLAG

Actually it is close to being well said. Unless he can tell me how the company could have opened cgn under the old contract. Could not have been done period. Too many tax issues.

AerisArmis

Well if the MEC is equally divided, I guess they could always let the membership vote? Nah....nevermind.

4A2B

Chapter 6 of the Contract. Would have been tough for new hires without tax equalization but we would have people still falling all over themselves to fill the capt. chairs, no matter what the deal was. Company could of offered tax monies without an LOA as well.

I think we have to realize that it was not the best course for our pilots OR the Company to press to test on whether they could or not done it successfully. I for one am glad we have a package that ensures the flying remains on our seniority list.

LAG you need to read the red letters, not sure if you were here or not but look them up if you never have. 40billion buys lots of options.

not scared, but reality of the other valid posts about unity is what drives the bus around here not something the Company desires, what matters is what we desire as a group.

MD11HOG

Did anyone else notice the guy that started this thread didn't give his source for the numbers even though he was asked?

FLMD11CAPT

Tell you what Hog......lets ask/request/demand that the MEC publish the Survey results prior to their meeting/vote in January and lets see how close I am (Just the 3% question results).......Nahhh, it'll never happen cause the crew force wishes might get in the way of what some of our elected reps are attempting to do..... :~(

The Walrus

So are you saying that your numbers are educated guesses, or the result of inside information?