Pro....you guys certainly can argue like big boys...well....I thought that until I saw your Union Prez come here and make threats to those who oppose the TA. That being said......
I should have been a little more specific. The pay COMBINED with such a long lock-in by the Company is going to kill you guys. I have owned businesses, and I have worked for them. If I were the owner....I would have pushed the Contract Extension Clause VERY HARD, just like FLOPS Management did. That way I can lock you guys in to a lower payscale for a VERY long time. If I were the employee.....I would be giddy that I got "something" in a recession. Frac...I see both sides...but I totally understand what the Company is up to. 3 years max is all the Contract I would commit to. By that time the recession will be over (unless Obama borrows us into oblivion), and you will be in a great position to bargain again. Either way....good luck with it.
As far as negotioting with Avantair, I quit them last April during the recession. The pay didn't meet the promise. I was just told that union cards are about to be sent out there, but the Captains will mostly vote "no" because they are making "ok" money and the FO's will vote "yes" because they make less than garbagemen and cabinet makers. I have a strange feeling that is the climate at FLOPS too.
