waveflyer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2005
- Posts
- 10,005
Coogebeachhotel wrote:
In other words, (and to summarize the thread) does a union have to exist to negotiate an appropriate level of pay, work rules, etc? Or (gasp) could it be done differently?
i think you have preconceptions of what a union is.
answer this- do you collectively bargain right now? meaning- can an individual pilot go to mgmt- show their work record and quals and negotiate a higher salary than that of any of their peers?
Is advancement based solely on seniority?
IOW- aren't you set up exactly like a union now?
You have individual contracts now? is that right? what advantage does that give you?
In our industry- we all collectively bargain and use a seniority system to determine the pecking order. I've lobbied for years that it's a dumb way to set up our career since airlines fail and go through bk more often now. But it is the way it is.
I don't see how individual contracts gives you any leverage in our industry considering it's not realistic to go to any other airline and say 'i've got 8000 hours , 4 types, 5000 pic, masters degree- good attitude and employment record- what can you offer me?' iow-leverage in other careers comes from an individual having the ability to change companies and increase their pay, responsibilities, and benefits. We don't have that. The only competition that takes place is in the first few years- after which- our leverage comes from our collective action.
Without a union- there is no collective action. Hence, no leverage.
Why- in any business deal- would you reduce your leverage? Why would a company ask you to? They may be playing nice- but the 'market' wage you're getting now- comes from the 'industry standard' which came from other pilot groups exerting their leverage through their union.