The MEC is going to try and get everything that they can. This is done by pushing for everything you can until the last minute of negotiations before a release for self help durring the cooling off period. Unfortunately we probably won't get that opportunity- this thing will drag out as it has for quite some time.
One of two things needs to happen here- either cast the company proposal out for a vote, or do a comprehensive survey that allows 100% of the pilot group to participate. Also, our MEC should be educating our pilots on what is attainable here in order to help pilots!
Expressjet got their contract durring an expansion boom- CoEx wanted a deal done to grow. Regional growth is now over, and it will be a fight for survival from here on. The only growth anyone will see is at the expense of another regional. In short, we missed the pay boat.
It isn't what SkyWest has made or is making, but what they are willing to give us. That's what we are worth. Do you really think that SkyWest is going to give us 5 years worth of retro when we:
-Delayed the contract negotiations by waiting for a more stable time following September 11th.
-Have only been owned by SkyWest for two years. Why are they going to pay us for the three years of protracted negotiations they couldn't influence.
So we could strike and force the upper hand, but we aren't going to strike. Why??? Because it isn't going to be allowed in the political environment that exists today! We are, at best, going to be released after November of 2008. GET A DEAL DONE FOLKS!!!!!!!