That's possible, but it is also completely plausible that Mgt has bet the farm on getting this TA approved. The last thing they want to see going into peak is a TA voted down. Now they know the pilot group is more unified and really unhappy and pi$$ed. Not the group you need with bad weather, long nights and numerous potential divert options. Winter storm fronts can be vast and a better divert option might not be within recovery trucking distance. If we vote it down, they must react quickly and very decisively with a vastly improved offer or the certainty of peak being far worse than bleak. Mgt does not have the time to renegotiate and new TA, THEY must get a better option across the table quickly.

 

Nice summary. While there will be debate regarding line-item inclusions/omissions based upon our individual preferences, I too believe that strategically this TA appears to lack the value that can/should be accrued given the operational landscape (company arguably on its knees) and what we as a professional crew force SHOULD assess as our value. Previously, I have been a part of a union of 10,000+ pilots that internalized this concept and secured a historic contract in more challenging of conditions. Leadership is required to open this aperture with the crew force. Here, the narrow focus on the specifics ("this TA gives us 75% of our openers") appears to overshadow the broader inference (albeit premature) that this TA does not properly reflect its potential, given the current environment and a more worthy assessment of our value as FedEx pilots. Once again, we seem to be satisfied with mediocrity because "trust us--it is just a tough negotiating environment out there."

We should at least have an opportunity to intelligently refine this TA in a short timeframe, but the inference from the MEC statements does not suggest this option...It is inappropriate to receive a TA for review while being told "take this now or else who knows when we have another opportunity." We waited years--why the rush to settle for mediocrity?

 

Don't you think if it was absolutely vital for them to get the TA approved, they would have stopped stalling months ago? And if we vote down the TA, how does that change our options for our impact on peak? How much more can we legally do as a group? On our last big divert event, do you think crews made decisions based on professional judgement, or on trying to make things difficult for the company? Based on my experience flying in this company, I'm going with professional judgement. I am almost 100% certain the same thing will happen on the next major divert event, new contract or not. FedEx the corporation has gotten very good at moving freight when bad things happen. FedEx Express is on its butt right now because it screwed up its projection on manning and increasing volume. But I do not believe the bigwigs at Hacks Cross are going to make hugely significant, decades long financial increases to our contract just to cover the next peak. They'll just pay for more wet lease (not every freight company is maxed out right now) and settle back for more of the same stalling we've seen for four years. I can handle that if the net result is a substantially better contract. I'm paying my bills with the current contract. But unless you think our NC just kissed off this cycle of negotiations, I'm not sure what you think they are going to gain in the next.
I also disagree with the assumption that we should expect to be paid what we think we are worth. Our services are worth what someone else is willing to pay for them. Period. The only people who get to pick their salary based on what they think they are worth are congressmen and dictators. We aren't them. That's why we have to negotiate. And negotiations are a two way street. Doesn't matter if you're a prostitute, a rock star or an airline pilot. We collectively hired an agent to do our negotiating, and our agent has told us in a 10-4 vote what the company is willing to pay us. Right now, that is what we are worth. We can try for more, but if we do, I think we should hire a new negotiator. Maybe I'm naïve, but I think our current NC has done the best they can.

 

How many times have we heard "the company is looking past the NC and looking directly at US?" That is why the NC brought us what we see. Maybe it is time to show the company that they misread US! I firmly believe if we throw this back - the same NC can bring US a better deal!

Oh what am I saying? Most of you are ready to settle for crumbs when a whole slice is sitting there. That is just sad!

 

What if you're two out of three?

 

Then I don't want the room next to you on a layover. 😎

 

But apparently enough that the company wanted this concession in the contract. I've flown a few of these and it's a nice provision. Because it doesn't apply to someone else doesn't mean it gets thrown under the bus.

 

I've flown 16 of them in the last 3 years.

 

This is what I believe as well.

Vote this turd down, and there will be a "better" TA presented in short order.

I am willing to take that chance, and if the rumors are correct, I will vote no.

 

That is the problem, period.