LIFT academy and future CBA’s
 

With the LIFT Academy exponentially increasing in size, does anyone else think this was partially designed to kill any future negotiating power the pilot group will have over the company?

How would Lift do that? My impression so far is that the company doesn't really have any significant issue with the union. I think they just want more control over the quality/quantity of the incoming pipeline.

From my experience at Republic, yes that’s the intent of the bean counters. It’s too early to tell if Lift impacts our negotiations though, because we don’t know how many Lift grades will stay at Republic.

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Yes, I am. Does that invalidate my question or opinion?

It undoubtedly does have an effect on future negotiations. During negotiations, both sides use items referred to as “leverage” to go back and forth with various offers. Different items vary in importance and therefore the amount of “leverage” they entail. If one side has everything they want, why would they put any real effort into negotiating with the other side?

The inability to attract quality candidates was a large item of importance for the company during the last round of negotiations. The company now has a steady supply of candidates and a year long waiting list for training dates. The union currently has no real negotiating power since they have absolutely nothing to offer in exchange for any contractual improvements. Such an imbalance is what can lead to long-drawn out contract disputes.

The issue may or may not be lift, but certainly with the slew of recent new hires whose view of the CBA is "Hey, I'm not going to be here very long anyway".

Very true. During periods of aggressive hiring at the majors, it’s difficult to get around that kind of thinking amongst the pilot group. “I’m just here to check the 121 box until Delta calls”. That’s an actual quote from someone I flew with a while ago.

Listen to the podcast Lift management did, because it is enlightening. Of course Republic management will use Lift as leverage during our negotiations.

Will you post a link for that podcast?