LivingInMEM

Don't think that UPS/competitors wouldn't try to take advantage of our percieved financial issues with us furloughing. We gained customers when UPS was threatening strike, and they could do the same with furlough. FedEx premium pricing is built almost entirely on its reputation.

LivingInMEM

I'm not saying you are incorrect, but don't forget that shared pain is a two way street. The rest of the membership shares the pain for VEBA, the pain is shared when we give up anything for A-380 pay rates, etc. Everyone can point out an instance where they "share the pain" for someone else. It isn't much of "union" when some in the group are calling for others in the group to take a hit in any way.

Laughing_Jakal

For crying out loud....you aren't getting pained by VEBA.....that is a benefit for YOU.

What you got boned by is the HCRA which was the $25K Debit card that was supposed to be for retiree Health Care to cover expenses between 60 - 65 issued to everyone over 50-something...the ND's took the money, yet are still on our active medical care........Now that should burn you....

If you don't know the difference, then you ought to look it up. The pennies an hour that is contributed to VEBA pays for your use of the benefit when you retire. By crying "VEBA...VEBA....VEBA" sounds about as informed as "SVT verses STV" makes you sound like a proponent of Hysteria.

.....Or are you just one of those guys that don't read the stuff and go by APC rumour boards or MEC recommendations......we got LOA1 because our guys don't know how to read anything other than MEC recommendations, Harley Catalogs, and Penthouse Letters, and we will get LOA2 for the same reason.

R1200RT

Maybe who knows. They get their marching orders and will do what they are told. Speaking of that I just got mine and have to head to work/Japan. Don't worry about our mgmt team, worry about the folks above them.

MD11Fr8Dog

She was high too?

FDXLAG

I believe the HCRA you speak of is a VEBA account. As a matter of fact (per the contract) the 25K was filtered through the VEBA fund. I am pretty sure the IRS considers both of the retirement goodies for geezers in the last contract as VEBA accounts.

New Vehicle Dealership Audit Technique Guide 2004 - Chapter 13 - Voluntary Employees' Benefit Associations (12-2004)

Although I agree with your sentiments.

DLax85

I've heard alot of guys say this, but I simply don't agree.

You will often see stock values rise when it occurs because analysts/investors see mgmt as willing to take even the most painful actions to control costs.

Don't get me wrong ---- I am not hoping or advocating any type of furlough ---- I just don't think the "threat of furloughs" provides us any leverage or security via stockholders/Wallstreet analysts.

DLax85

First bullet is irrelevant in the mgt decision making process regards furloughs.

Second bullet may have merit.

DLax85

Spot on!

They could also sweeten the pot by offering PLOAs where folks don't lose any seniority benefits relative to retirement, medical benefits, jumpseat priviledges, etc.

Their goal is to reduce/realign their manning costs at MIN cost.

Thus, they could trout out a myriad of programs one at a time (...and one dollar at a time) until they hit their numbers (...just like they've done to sweeten the pot (albeit slowly) for bidding the HKG FDA.)

All IMHO, of course.

DLax85

Not advocating anything --- but why is this case closed?

08-02 couldn't be cancelled?

At least for those who are not within 30 days of their training date?

(..and has anyone on that bid started training yet?)

Yes, the DC-10 excess had to happen --- but the 727 portion was not necessarily needed at this time.

I think a whole new set of precedents have been set in the past 9 months and cancelling portions of a bid are certainly one of them.

I think mgt is clearly in the "EVERYTHING is on the table" mode.