I agree ... The first 9-10% is COLA ... After that we actually get a raise.

The 15 year Captain rate needs to be $3xx per hour

Not necessarily, mcdbirdman. There is more to a good contract than JUST money.
We'll know soon enough.
Cheers,
fbh

Yes, necessarily. If the compensation portion is concessionary then you honestly think the remainder of the agreement will make up for it? There is no way. You know better. We all do.

As I have said before, the devil is in the details, but I think we would prefer not to start this process behind the eight ball on pay and work our back into a not just a mediocre contract, but a good one. You are right though, fbh, there is more to a good contract than just the coin.

Pay rates and signing bonuses are shiny ornaments meant to elicit the 51%. Keep your eyes on the ball. Work rules, insurance and retirement compensation complete the whole picture.

Chainsaw, gotta look at the big picture here. Firstly, what is your definition of "concessionary"? Do you expect the Company to offer us LESS than we're making now? THAT'S CONCESSIONARY!

I want, (that sounds mean),... I would like a lot more money, both now AND in retirement, better scheduling and work rules and MUCH cleaner contract language, to name a few things and am willing to do whatever I (we) need to do as Union members to get there.
Keep the faith,
fbh

Not mean FBH. Only expectations from years of unexpected give-backs via a contract filled with "where feasibles" and "you don't like it, grieve it, seeya at the table in two years".

fbh, I would say that any amount of pay raise that falls below REAL inflationary numbers, (not the fake 3% the government puts out) would be concessionary. I haven't done the research, so I would conservatively estimate the real inflation rate at least twice that at 6%. Now add all the years we didn't get a pay raise plus all the years we are supposed to get one in the future. We are moving back AT LEAST 3% buying power every year, if not more. So in 6 years, I would say you would be down over 20%. Someone on this forum earlier gave the example of a new truck going from 33K in 2008 to 60K in 2015. I guess that is what I would consider concessionary. Just not moving backward every year.

fbh, OBTW, I'm not sure I understand your avatar, but I think I like it.

Chainsaw. would you like a contract where everyone got $500 an hour, but you had to go to FAR limits with no protection, no insurance, no retirement (I think I should call this deferred compensation)? In essence, you're on your own, independent contractor Think it out.

Thanks Chain!