IMHO - this goes beyond the typical counter proposal needed to play the Section 6 game but it isn't without reason. They've introduced additional variables to slow the process even more.

Don't forget, they make more net profit every day we work for our status quo pay with our status quo attitude ("Thank you sir; may I have another!?)
If they can get us reacting emotionally rather than following the most direct line to release - it's all the better for them.

Follow the contract and FOM; nothing more - nothing less. It's what we're paid to do.

 

Why would anyone want to come and work here right now? It certainly can't be the "quick upgrade" it isn't happening.

I hear less than 1/2 are showing up for interviews and 1/2 show up for class. Are we starting to hire from the bottom of the gene pool yet?

 

Forgive the lame analogies - I am just trying to describe what I'm thinking, and it seems easiest.

So called 'cooler heads' keep saying "relax guys, it's called negotiations" Making the case that it's normal for the company to start at - 10, and we start at + 10 and meet somewhere around Zero. Fine! But that's not what happened. Is it? ...... And this is my concern (not a complaint mind you, just a concern, and I'm open to correction)

We didn't start at + 10. We didn't even start at + 1. The pay proposals that the union came up with, in my mind, were too low and are the very least we should accept. And that's assuming we give absolutely nothing away and also make strong gains wrt to retirement, health insurance, and the other proposals they made.

Then we get the company's proposal and it isn't -10. It's at like -100! So here we are: We started on the main floor of the house, when we should have started on the roof, and they started in the bottom of the septic tank under a sludge of $#!t instead of the basement. Where will we meet up???

 

I tend to agree. At this point, the $245 is the lowest I'm willing to accept. We should have asked for more.

 

This is where pilots often make the mistake of comparing Section 6 negotiations with what happens when buying an Astro van at the used car lot. The two are quite different. This is a highly regulated process with mediators, in which actions and proposals are continuously being judged for rationale, reasonableness, effort, etc.

 

When will this be seen by a mediator?

 

The few guys who actually do taxi on one engine for some reason are all well known. It's the same schmucks picking up all the VJA trips.

Two come to mind....

 

This is where I disagree with you. The definition of mediation is meeting in the middle! I agree with others that we didn't ask for enough. In the mediation process they will compare both porposals and meet in the middle, and we will get SCREWED. What ALPA proposed is the FLOOR of what I am willing to accept. Your crazy if you believe that this is a highly regulated process. You don't have a clue what you are talking about.

 

Compromise is meeting in the middle, mediation is when somebody helps you reach an agreement.

 

You know that anger is an emotion, right? Or do you mean ****ed off in the urine sense?

"I always think it's a sign of victory when they move on to the ad hominem." - Christopher Hitchens

“When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.” - Socrates