That is exactly what I am going to do. I'm going through the TA, each section and every word. So far the verdict is the work rules are just so so, nothing that is that great. Initial pay also nothing to be proud of either, we'll see if someone, maybe you, can decipher the cryptic formula used to measure what we get paid over and above the COLA 3%. Also because extension of the contract is solely at the discretion of management, and the extremely low pay increase they are being exposed to, they will extend this to 5 years. So no matter how you paint this it, it is a 5 year contract and we will be stuck with it.
I think it's good you are thoroughly reading through the document. I also understand some of your initial complaints and I'm sure if you look really hard you can find some other things to take issue with. I intend to focus on all the things we are getting, things that we didn't have before, like, again an average of 36% pay increase across the seniority list over the life of the contract. Other things like OT for airlines before 07:30 on day one, last day work rules, which are pretty good, the job protections contained in an excellent scope clause, grievance and system board language which looks top-notch to me, meals paid by the company on a company credit card, the most extensive list of domiciles and grandfathered domiciles in the industry, uniforms bought and paid for by the company, vacation that we can actually bid and take, 8 extra PTO days by the end of the contract, 25% 7&7 schedule available by the end of the contract, duty and rest rules, the non-union frac pilots would kill for. These are all things we have LOCKED DOWN in this contract. I know you've probably been around long enough to have received the BB email taking something you liked away? I know I have.
So please do read the contract, ask your questions, hopefully in the Q&A section of the union's message board but not on here. I was on the P2P call the other night when we were told by the negotiators that they did not leave any money on the table and that in their opinion (based on a trip into the companies books with a PhD economist) the company did not have any more money. They also said the union was told by the NMB that they would not get a release and would probably put negotiations in recess (something they can do regardless of the union/company objection) for a lengthy period of time if the TA is rejected. Why would they lie about that? They work here and will have to work and live with or without this contract?
Has it ever occurred to you that although you can surely find plenty things to complain about in this TA, including the pay which, lets be honest sucks, maybe the union is telling the truth and because of the economy, this is the best deal we can get? If that is the case, voting it down would only risk money coming off the table, due to the loss of business which will result from owners abandoning the company when the news invariably gets out that the pilots rejected the TA. Frankly I think there is a danger here in comparing our situation that of NJ in 2004 as I've seen others (some of whom should know better) do in this forum. The NJ pilots were able to exploit a robust economy, and a very wealthy backer (Berkshire) to fund their pay increase. I think there will be little argument, ever from you, that we are in a very different place here at Flight Options.
