Regardless of the intent, the timing for this wasn't the best. With all the rhetoric being thrown around by some SWA pilots and a couple SWAPA reps, we're already on edge. Sending something that can be so obviously misconstrued and asking for our feedback (which could obviously be used in an SLI arbitration) just isn't being well-received.
At the very beginning of the process, in Nov and Dec during the round-ups, we already received a booklet with a synopsis of the pay rates and a way to convert hourly rates to TFP, allowing us to see what kind of pay we could expect at our current longevity (assuming our seniority equated to something with the ability to bid a similar line that we hold now). It also included a benefits synopsis, an overview of the bidding system, a history of the airline and union, side letters, etc. It was very thorough, the round-ups were a great success, and overall was the right way and the right TIME to put forth that information.
Giving it to us again, but in a way that uses the veiled "IF the carriers integrate" reference again (that's like waving a red flag in front of a bull, by the way), and right as we enter the last month of direct negotiations,,, Well, I'll just ask "Why re-send something we already received?"
I won't assume that this was trying to negotiate directly with us, but I will say that any such attempt would be misguided simply because our structure isn't set up like yours at the union level. We elect our REPS. Our REPS elect the MEC leaders (Chair and Vice-Chair). The Chair appoints the committees, (although the Merger Committee was constructed by both the Chair and the MEC, technically the MEC Chair holds the authority to change it as his discretion). What all that means is that we poor line swine are 3 steps away from having ANY control over what the Merger Committee is instructed to do. Convincing *US* isn't going to do anything if whatever proposal you want us to consider doesn't ever reach us to vote on.
Your NC needs to convince our MC and MEC. Not us. All we do is vote when it gets here. So I'll simply say "Thank you" for something to read, maybe glean a new nugget or two of info, add it to my collection of SWA memorabilia, and wait for our next MC update after the meetings next week.
uke:
