FLOPS is the example some have used in favor of the Teamsters being at CA? Right, they make less than us and we didn't have a union to accomplish that.
As a result of the collective bargaining process, when the CBA was ratified in April of 2010 I got a 10% raise, I also got $1200 in retro pay. In Jan. of 2011 I got a 12.5% raise as a result the CBA. Additionally this year I will also get another 3.5% raise on my anniversary. In 2012 I will get a 3.5% raise. In April of 2013, if the company elects to excersize its option to extend the contract (highly likely) I will get a 6.5% raise. In 2014 same 6.5% raise under same circumstances.
Also, as outlined in the CBA I can expense all of my meals while on the road. This means I can pocket all of my per-diem, which is worth over $7900 per year. It also means I can eat at Ruth’s Chris every night on the company dime if I want (that lasted about two tours for most of us, can’t eat like that anymore).
Also, as outlined in the contract we are eligible for a fuel bonus every month, 90% of us get it and its worth a minimum of $3000 every year, could double that if you are very efficient/lucky.
Point is if you are simply comparing the pay scales, you are, well, missing the point. The union had to get very creative with this contract, because it was negotiated during the depths of the recession. A lot of the dough is staged in over the life of the agreement. But we immediately got work rules, scope protections, a disciplinary procedure layed out in writing with an appeals process and much more.
The pilots a CA made a wise choice voting in the union, because right now you really have nothing. Everything you think you have – including those wages your bragging about – can be taken away at the stroke of a Friday afternoon email from your management. They did this to you the last two years in a row didn't they?
Since you think Flight Options is such a terrible place to work, ask any of our pilots you meet on the road if they would trade places with you (go back to at-will) even for the money. I don’t think you will get many takers. We’ve learned its not just about the money, its about quality of life while at work and predictability and security for our families. That’s what the CBA brought us.
You have my support.