08-02-2016Quote:
You rightfully make the point that the judge can't impose something in between the status quo and the complete elimination of the CBA. So if push comes to shove, the judge via 1113 will vacate the current contract because leaving the current contract in place will simply not be feasible. Therefore, the APA is negotiating with a gun to their head and has very little leverage to improve upon this proposal. It will improve some, but not by leaps and bounds. As others have pointed out, this is NOT normal negotiations.
I think it likely that the BEST case scenario has something close to what the original comprehensive proposal had with perhaps the addition of PBS. But even THAT scenario allows the A319 to be flown 20% cheaper then DAL's and likely with more flexible work rules for additional savings.Originally Posted by 2wright
Ok agreed. But AMR has just demonstrated that number 1 is not an option. That leaves number 2 -- agree to a new contract or number 3 -- elimination of the current CBA -- in which case AMR is free to dictate the terms conditions of employment. They've now shown what those terms and conditions will look like. You rightfully make the point that the judge can't impose something in between the status quo and the complete elimination of the CBA. So if push comes to shove, the judge via 1113 will vacate the current contract because leaving the current contract in place will simply not be feasible. Therefore, the APA is negotiating with a gun to their head and has very little leverage to improve upon this proposal. It will improve some, but not by leaps and bounds. As others have pointed out, this is NOT normal negotiations.
With a large percentage of the domestic fleet in that economic classification, it will put strong pressure on the other two legacies and make preventing any compensation loss there difficult, let alone improvements. In effect, AA pilots could be the new anchor used to drag the profession further downward and likely there's little to stop it. Also remember that the scortched-earth 1113 proposal today called for terminating the A-fund. Some are clamoring for that to be saved, but to trade that would almost require HUGE concessions elsewhere to make up for that as that is a major portion of the demanded 20%. If so, then further pay hits for that aircraft would be likely making at least that sized aircraft, truly flown for low wages.
If AMR's real motive is to get that aircraft to the rock-bottom peanut level in pilot compensation and load-up on them, that could be a disaster.
Ever wonder why AMR wants this aspect of pay banding not just for the 6 year duration, but for 2 CC's or 10 years whichever is LATER ?
Because THAT is where they plan to attack and reinvent the domestic market. The RJ is failing my friends because of its revenue/cost problem. The 125-seat A319 will simply become the next RJ, capturing most of the 55% of the domestic market now flown by current typical RJ's of all sizes.
AMR can drag each of their next contracts out 10 years apiece. Thats 20 years my little bubba's and once that jeanie leaves the bottle, it's all over. UAL and DAL will simply HAVE to join the ride downward or lose money going head-to-head and you can't do that for very long as AMR just proved over the last 8 years.
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