Man or Man what a situation we have here.
The common thought is that anyone who works in the “casino” or “crystal palace” is automatically against the pilot group. Let me take the time to explain the common appearance from the casino.
First let me give you “Exhibit A” (it will help later on)
The extremely low pay that NetJets pilots make is a pay they agreed to. Let me type that real slow again in a different way. A Captain wannabe submitted a resume into NJ and was then called in for an interview. During the course of said interview compensation was offered. That applicant had two(2) choices.
- Take job
- Walk away
<End of Exhibit A>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I'll even put this into a personal prospective. Years ago when I was about to graduate DXR school companies recruited at the school. I knew the minimum I could accept to support my family. When I entered into the first interview all was well until pay was brought up. They offered me 10.50 an hour. I immediately got up said thank you for your time and went to the next interview. I had a minimum pay that I would accept – and they did not offer it.
First lets start with the reason why most “casino” workers seem anti union.
Now with the company selling their Kool-Aid and ASAP selling their's, it comes down to what appears to be happening. This being based of what you think is the truth and what you think is going on.
Last year a negotiated TA was agreed to by both the company and the MEC. It was voted down by the pilot group based on what appeared to be a grass roots effort by a group called “Strong Union”. After the TA was voted down it was in the unions turn to come up with an offer.
The unions offer was said to be double the current pay that each NetJets pilot agreed to (See Exhibit A)
An offer the Company said it can not afford. Thus my question a while ago – has any union doubled their pay. I'm sorry but as a common man I can't think of ANY company prepared to double the pay of a workforce of 2000+. If you double 30k to 60k each multiplied by 2000 that sure as hell ain't no pennies.
Since that time I have read that the company has made at least one offer (maybe 2), offered an auditor (said to be incapable), and offered to show financial records (denied a NDA).
How has this appeared to the lay person on the sidelines? It gives the appearance that the company is trying to negotiate in good faith while the union has made one (1) offer and not budged on it. I have not read anywhere where the union offered their own auditor or what they offered to give up.
What has the union offered? Negotiating is give a little get a little – right? I have not read/seen/heard anything the union was willing to give up as part of the negotiation. I'm sorry if your answer is “we have given enough over the past XX years” -- (see Exhibit A.)
If the returning argument is that each pilot is worth the price they are asking. You may very well be right - BUT we are worth what we accept. No more - No less. (See Exhibit A). A first year pilot at any company should be paid more than a first year Dispatcher or Crew Servicer.
One can complain about how much its the managements fault or how bad your family is because of the substandard pay (insert NJW comment here). It all boils down to the root problem caused by the pilot himself (See Exhibit A). That is why you don't have much sympathy folks. The root cause is accepting a sub-standard wage with promises.
Thoughts:
casino wife-
Not real sure on this whole union/strike thing works, but doesn't the company have the option of firing everyone if they strike? If all of the pilots are fired, then there is no picket line to cross.
How can they be labeled scabs if they are now accepting a "non-union" job you no longer have?
LOL – man that's a good name. As much as I don't want to think about it, you bring up a good point.
noturgearb!tch-
(3) : a worker who accepts employment or replaces a union worker during a strike.
and
“A Scab is a person doing what you would be doing if you weren't on strike”
“a scab takes your job, a job he could not get under normal circumstances”
Are you legally on strike if you are fired? Technically you are unemployed right? So then they are not scabs or replacements they are new hires right?
Lets hope it NEVER comes to that M-Kay?
So am I biased for the company? I'd have to say yes. I accepted a job a pay and benefits I wanted. They have always treated me well. I have good pay, great benefits, great insurance. All things I wanted to take the job. Now that job is being threatened by a group that “appears” not to being negotiating, but having a gun to the companies head with a demand. What appears to be the root cause to me?
See Exhibit A
I want you guys to get a contract you can live with and one the company can too. I don't want new hires, I want to support the great group I have. I'm not trying to flame anyone here – just being bluntly honest.
But then again Im just a Dispatcher - or am I
.