SWAPA "recommends REJECTION"

[Rob Beeks]

"btw, If you don't mind, I'd like to know where management came up with:

"It is going to give 110 planes back to the companies from which they were purchased." (in reference to USAirways). I think they have their facts a little screwed up."

CoopDog:

Hey, you're not on the property yet, and you are already catching on to SWA management techniques. It usually takes a couple years to catch on.

The message in the newsletter is pretty clear. Management is swaying the reader to a "yes" vote, which in my opinion greatly benefits management objectives of keeping their labor groups well below industry average pay. IOW, they are doing their job.

 

[Rob Beeks]

AirlineWannabe:

I LUV the way you are thinking! You will make a fine addition to the SWA pilot corps.

Poolies: Read AW's post (two above this one). In my opinion, this outcome will be in YOUR best interest.

Don't confuse a "no" vote to mean we want a war and are trying to be belligerent. This proposed extension originated out of interest-based talks--Not a full contract opener.

A "no" vote merely means "No, thanks. We'll wait another year and open up the entire contract for renegotiation."

Even though our contract is not amendable until September 2004, the contract calls for talks to begin a year earlier (i.e., in one year--Sept 03).

 

[falcon20]

Beeks says to keep labor groups below industry average pay, we will be industry leading if concessions continue at the other airlines. Read the paper. Why would anyone pass up a raise, take it now and get more in 05' negotiations.

 

[SWA2000]

I agree with you falcon1. I have voted yes for the extension and here is why:

When I came to SWA I knew what I was doing. You have to know! If you are going to spend 7K to get a job you would want to know a little bit about the company. I knew I would never fly a 747. I knew I would never have London overnights. And I knew I wouldn't make as much per hour than the other guy/gal. But, I also knew I was going to work for an airline that had 27yrs of consecutive profits, an airline where all the employee groups seem happy and enjoy their jobs, an airline that offered a faster upgrade to Captain than the average for the industry, and most importantly to me, an airline that has NEVER FURLOUGHED AN EMPLOYEE. Can anybody name an airline other than the cargo carriers that offers those same qualities?

So here are the facts as I see it:

- If I was anywhere else (big 5 or 7 whatever) I would be
unemployed with no idea as to how long.
- I am currently working under a contract that expires in 2004 at
which time the union has said it will go for IAP. Which I am all for.
But, in lieu of the current situation the industry is in I am not so
sure I will want my pay to be par with US AIR, UAL, etc...in 04'
- I am being offered descent (I didn't say great) pay raises and a
substantle amount of stock options which will have a strike price
near the 52-week low mark.
- And if it passes I know in 2005 I can probably upgrade and
based on flying 100 trips a month I will make $189,348 (not-
including stock-options or per diem.) Now again, tell me what
airline that at my 5yr mark I would make that kind of money.

All this for an additional 18 months added on. I think the opportunity cost for rejecting is too great.

Hang in their poolies. It want be too much longer.


-

 

[AirlineWannabe]

SWA 2000: I want to clarify your position.

You believe that by, accepting the proposed raise, you are ensuring continued profitability, adding to the harmony of the companies cooperative culture, supporting faster pilot upgrades and preventing furloughs.

That position seems counterintuitive to me. I don't want to put words in your mouth/post so I want to confirm I have stated your position correctly.

On one hand, you researched the company and are comfortable accepting lower salary structure for the good of the company but you estimate having an industry leading paystub for a 5th year pilot.

Keep in mind that I am on the outside looking in but I think a little delayed gratification would go a long way.

 

[Soupbone]

why is this so complicated?

Dear Airlinewannabe and many others out there.

Why is the concept of excepting a nominal pay raise and a few other improvements to the current contract so hard for people to swallow? In the current climate I would think this would be approved in a heart beat.
Reason: If the market improves dramatically in the next 2 years...great...then you renegotiate a new contract in 04. Which is NO different then what you are doing now (i.e. 2 years earlier than the contract expires) If not, then at least there was a better pay raise then 4% scheduled now for the next 2 years.
People act like they might get a better deal in 04 if they do nothing now. I make the suggestion you do both. One of the main reason I want to fly with SWA is the relationship the union has with management. There is no reason to think that this excellent relationship will not continue into the future. I also realize that this contract is not perfect...but then again it is supposed to be better then the current one!!
This is just my .02$ worth...and like another pilot said in this forum...that is about all its worth.