I think CD and the union Yes votes failed us more than most people understand. By bringing us this inadequate TA they established a baseline to make adjustments from. They established our willingness to give up work rules. The fact the union is selling this inadequate TA as a great deal is shameful.
If we vote this down 55% to 45%, I'm sure the company will come back with some minor improvements--A plan to 280K, KEEP 1st class deadheads, KEEP hotel in lieu of and it passes 51% to 49%--FedEx management locks us into a decade long deal and still keeps most of the concessions. FedEx even gets PBS on the property for 20% of the lines, plus they get the added bonus of dividing the crew force.
Our best hope is to follow Delta's model. Vote this down decisively near 70% or better to near 30% or less (hopeful numbers). Replace key union officials and the negotiating committee. This will clearly demonstrate that the TA is inadequate and we need to restart negotiations from the existing contract in place.
I have more faith in my fellow crewmembers than I currently do in my union. I want to personally thank the dissenting votes for having the courage to stand up for the crewforce despite pressure from the YES votes. If you haven't had the chance to read their letters please get on the FDX ALPA website and find them. Of course they are buried. They are full of detailed information and facts to support their position and I think everyone should read them before casting your vote. The union is doing their best to suppress these voices.
The union shares some of the responsiblity for dragging out this process for years. The crew force was poised for a deal or a fight and instead the union delivered us Kryptonite. For those that accuse me of being disloyal-I haven't done one draft or volunteer event in 3 years or sold back any vacation. I am a member of the PAC. I wonder how many of the YES votes can say the same things. I'm replacing loyalty with accountability as my guiding union principle.
I'm voting no and hoping our union leadership will do the right thing and step down if we can defeat this inadequate TA.