One Contract - Forever

[lowecur]

I've always thought, why not just have one contract and make it adjustable every quarter. Set the base rates and salaries for up to 10 years, then adjust them every quarter to give the airline a 10% profit margin. Since this business model has never shown a long term profit, maybe it's time to think outside the box.

The only negotiations ever needed would be addendums such as scope additions, work rules, and other goodies such as health insurance, profit sharing, and 401K's.

Just think, no more long drawn out contract sqwabbles that alienate mgt and the workforce every 3 or 4 years.

 

[On Your Six]

Never hook it to "profit" because that can be manipulated (e.g., just change the depreciation methods on some aircraft and your "profit" can be altered). Perhaps something like linking it to changes in operating cash flow - although, like profit, things can be manipulated... Never trust management to be "fair" about anything when their bonuses are involved...

 

[lowecur]

Never hook it to "profit" because that can be manipulated (e.g., just change the depreciation methods on some aircraft and your "profit" can be altered). Perhaps something like linking it to changes in operating cash flow - although, like profit, things can be manipulated... Never trust management to be "fair" about anything when their bonuses are involved...

These things can be ironed out prior to the contract. Stipulations on accounting practices and bonus arrangements are easily addressed. This industry needs a stable future, and even the LCC's (like WN) are bound to have problems as their contracts come due.....witness the stalemate with the f/a contract for 2 years.

 

[Draginass]

Waste of time to discuss. Completely impractical. Existing contracts come up for renewal at different times, even IF airline pilots would all generally agree. The problem is that many many many many young pilots will eagerly undercut their wage expectation just to fly an airplane. Conversely, almost all senior pilots would sell their grandmother into indentured servitude to keep "theirs" and the rest of everybody can go to . . . . . well you know where. A sad fact, but one that that senior executives and their bevy of labor lawyers can count on. Human nature doesn't change and can be easily exploited by those who know how. Oh, and BTW, the White House is in with the senior execs because the general public voters don't give a rat's derrier if the planes are flown by Americans or Martians, just as long as they can wedge their huge butts in a seat and spread their trash all over the cabin for $99 round trip.