DO-82 driver said:
FLYLOW22.....I have had the pleasure of speaking to a number of NJI guys and I was shocked by their willingness to consider the merger of the 2 pilot forces.
Many of them realize what they are dealinig with in RTS and they don' trust him as far as they can throw him. They expressed to me their concern that he will sell them out down the road.
I now believe the loud-mouths on this board speak for the minority at NJI. The atmosphere over there does not allow for their "silent majority" to rise up....for obvious reasons.
We will be merged and its not going to be THAT ugly.
DO is correct that there are many who would accept or even welcome a pilot list merger for two primary reasons: 1. The overtime policy in the CBA would mean 10-15 K more a year to the average line pilot. 2. The elimination of the uncertainty of their career path. "Will we merge, won't we. Will the NMB approve the petition, won't they."
That said, I can say without doubt that the majority, perhaps not a huge majority, DO NOT want to become Teamsters for a variety of reasons including personal, economic, political, and career considerations. Any employee objection to unionization varies with the individual. Management's objection is purely economic.
As I have pointed out on other threads, there will not be a "bargaining voice" created for the pilot group anytime soon no matter how many times 1108 members say "join us now or get screwed in three years." No flame, just fact.
I am certain of only one thing: The NMB will hear a single carrier petition brought by 1108 in the fall of 2008.
I am fairly confident in another thing: 1108 will lose the petition. (See Uncle Hulas)
I kinda, sorta believe one more thing: Any change in NJI's union status will occur during the next contract negotiation as part of a settlement between RTS and 1108.
You might as well grab a Snickers bar. We're going to be here for a while.