DaRaiders

I'd say, "Hey, that new FDA LOA was just to bring us somewhere close to par with every other Fourtune 500 Compnay's expat package. Nothing special. Now.....show me the money!"

FDXLAG

That is the whole point the contract is all inter-related. Why negotiate one section/change at a time. It plays into the company's hand. What is the next section you think they will want to change with an LOA, my guess, it wont be 4A2b.

CAVU

Both sides at the negotiating table spend considerable time questioning whether the other side has the authority and ability to make a deal. So here’s a crazy idea:

How about we unanimously support our negotiating committee’s recommendation (up or down) and in so doing enhance our committee’s effectiveness entering negotiations?

That's what I intend to do.

FDXLAG

Hey finally someone admits to voting yes on the 1st LOA. No worries, if the negotiating committee presents it I am sure it will pass by at least 68%. This is an academic discussion of whether it is smart or not.

CAVU

We played the last round of negotiations just about right. Unfortunately, the events surrounding the regulated age change distorted every subsequent issue and vote. That baggage appears to still exist and will not serve us well.

Busdrivr

I don't see what the problem is. The contract needs to be renegotiated in about 3 months. Any LOA can be rolled into the new contract. My vote is a definite NO on a separate LOA.

Dadof6

Great rumor--and much better than a sharp stick in the eye!

And I'm really glad our contract's amenable date is rapidly approaching.

If the rumor is true, then the "new & improved" LOA can just be pasted into Section 6 of our contract. The time for band-aid LOAs is over.

The company stood up the HKG domicile how long ago? And they have enjoyed the tax equalization $$$s and having HKG-based pilots on-the-cheap ever since. So I really hope they quit being penny-wise and pound-foolish.

Now take care of the flex instructors, change "sick hours" to "personal hours," replace all A-380 references with B-777, and kill or define 4a2b. I'll vote YES on that contract!

FreightDawgyDog

I can only assume you are not talking about the last FDA LOA we negotiated. If it was so right, why did it take the threat of furlough and many bids to finally fill it?

Sometimes I feel like this group has the battered wife syndrome. 4a2b isn't even over for a month, the company is making lots more money than they thought they would, and we are lining the troughs to help them make more like we never got smacked around for the last year. At the very least, a rewrite of 4a2b, or deletion of it all together, needs to be a part of any agreement we enter into with the company. Put me in the group that says make it part of the new contract.

BTW, no matter how we do this, the bottom line is it will save the company lots of money and give our most senior trips (Int'l DH's and international 1 departure lines) to comparatively junior pilots willing to relocate overseas in a break even scenario for them. It will likely mean less pilots needed overall so 4a2b could indeed be in play again after all training and relocation's are complete. We really need to think this one through and remember 4a2b.

One last thing, STV's need to be gone from any new agreement, period.

FDXFLYR

"The company stood up the HKG domicile how long ago? And they have enjoyed the tax equalization $$$s and having HKG-based pilots on-the-cheap ever since. So I really hope they quit being penny-wise and pound-foolish."

As long as pilots will bid it, the company has no incentive to change anything. But I agree with your point.

"...change "sick hours" to "personal hours..."

I love that idea! LK might as well quit, he'd have nothing to do.

42GO

How bout this:


"No LOA till Contract Signing DAY"