Nice post. I've made the same progression from definite NO to YES with my vote after studying the contract.

I've gone from No Way, to probably not, to I don't know...mainly because I originally equated it to kicking a field goal or going for it on 4th down...now I'm thinking if we vote no, we are planning on punting, letting the other team score, then winning it with a razzle dazzle kickoff return with no time on the clock...

I have to agree with you. My projection, constituting of a HUGE spreadsheet with multiple assumptions, comes out similar (actually slightly longer) with the most likely scenario. I get a 5+ year break even with really rosy / unlikely assumptions. ($100K bonus, 25% initial, 6% raises etc.) Sadly, I only have slightly less than 4 years, so ...

For those of you who will no doubt chastise me for FYIGM, how is that any different from your rational that we should vote this down so that you will be better off 8 - 10 years in the future, so screw me? I expect EVERYONE to vote for their own best interest. I don't expect you to vote for my best interest and you shouldn't expect me (or anyone else) to vote for yours in contradiction to their own.

Flame on.

Respectfully

^^^^^^
well said

Why yes, you are selfish if you vote your interests.....how dare you not vote mine?

I think you should vote for the good of the group, rather than for yourself. I have always voted that way and will continue to do so.
I guess it 's kind of a Mr. Spock thing but I consider myself a "unionist".
Cheers,
fbh

If we were voting for the good of the group we wouldn't have Seniority based pay rates. From each according to his abilities and to each according to his needs and all that. Was that quote Spock or Elizabeth Warren?

However, the decision made by Spock that, "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one," was an obvious one. This one isn't so clear. It highly benefits the soon to retire, and newly starting out, I believe. It is unclear as far as the middle, with everyone having a different opinion. I believe that it's just as likely that a person may think the best for the group is to vote yes, as it is for them to vote no.

It's not like you're entering a highly radioactive chamber to fix the ship's drive so everyone else can escape danger. It's a subjective opinion, based upon what you feel is important, and what you feel is possible.

Point One - Prices go up - it's called inflation. When you pay more for a gallon of milk than you did in 1995, do you get a bigger gallon? Don't think so.

Point Two - When they come to us next, they will remember that our resolve was weak and they will bring less to the table.

Your thought process would lead many to another conclusion.

Pipe

Yes, that is sad. It's also sad that I have 25 years to live with the legacy of your yes vote and to use 10% and 6 years as my new baseline from which to bargain.

Why don't you go ahead and drain your used motor oil into the lake when you get a minute.

Pipe