Insight into current NMB
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: leaning to the left
Posts: 4,184
#12
Don't know what the difference is..Clinton stepped in on the AA pilots but let NW pilots strike.. Bush stepped in to stop the NW mechanics one time but not the next..Seems to me the companies made those calls and not the president regardless if he was republican or democrat.
#13
Clear and continuing government intrusion into the free market. Labor, like any other vendor of goods and services, is an economic reality that must be addressed by all commercial enterprises. For the government to continue to insulate airlines because of the 'great economic harm' that could be caused in the event of a shutdown is unfair at best (and IMO should be illegal). No other industry besides rail has this level of government buffer to protect their economic interests.
If labor is successful in shutting down an airline, are we really naive enough to believe that no one else will be there to pick up the slack? The Railway Labor Act is an obscene affront to the working people that make an airline move its packages and people. Contracts should have an expiration date, which would force (economically speaking) both sides to the table long before a showdown ever occurs. If we (collectively speaking of course) ever grow a spine and tell the NMB and their enforcers, the federal judiciary, to shove it, the result would be eye opening.
Airlines, like any other business, should be subject to the full brunt of market forces, labor included. This is either a free market or it is not. Apparently the government, the NMB, and the judiciary believe that a selective free market is a better approach. I believe they are dead wrong.
If labor is successful in shutting down an airline, are we really naive enough to believe that no one else will be there to pick up the slack? The Railway Labor Act is an obscene affront to the working people that make an airline move its packages and people. Contracts should have an expiration date, which would force (economically speaking) both sides to the table long before a showdown ever occurs. If we (collectively speaking of course) ever grow a spine and tell the NMB and their enforcers, the federal judiciary, to shove it, the result would be eye opening.
Airlines, like any other business, should be subject to the full brunt of market forces, labor included. This is either a free market or it is not. Apparently the government, the NMB, and the judiciary believe that a selective free market is a better approach. I believe they are dead wrong.
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: 737 CA
Posts: 2,750
I support unions,,,,, but everyone thought with the current administration that things would change .... and they really haven't. Oh they let the Spirit strike happen... knowing it was but a very small percentage of air travel in this country. I hope the FA's get what they deserve.. but without the threat of strike how much teeth the the unions really have at the "end game". Good luck to all of those in negotiations.
Last edited by jsled; 03-27-2011 at 04:00 PM.
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: 744 CA
Posts: 4,772
When the NMB allows some component of a Major air carrier to strike I will concede true change, until then its alot of window dressing. I will agree that some positive personnel changes have been made and that at least is a start.
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: 737 CA
Posts: 2,750
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