If we strike or take any disruptive action, we will be fired, replaced and/or Comair will be destroyed.
First off, if the union has met all of the requirements under labor law for calling a strike--negotiated in good faith (decided by the courts, not the company), waited through any cooling off period ordered by the President of the U.S., etc.--you can not be fired.
TWA f/as were out on strike for something like 3 years. The company hired scab replacements, etc, but in the end every one of the TWA strikers who wanted their jobs back, got their jobs back.
Also, don't believe the company's line that Comair would be destroyed. The company wants you to believe that. But, ask yourself, why would those same company executives allow themselves to be put out of a job if you strike? If it comes down to giving your union a fair shake or giving up their stock options, bennies, and fat paychecks, trust me...your union will be given a fair shake. It probably won't be everything they are currently asking for, but it will be more than the company is currently saying they are willing to give.
Both sides start with asking for the moon while giving nothing. Both sides will declare that the other side is being totally unreasonable.
The Company: "This union is attempting to destroy Comair."
The Union: "This company is trying to reinstate slavery in violation of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution."
From there, they will work toward a compromise that neither side is totally happy with, but each side can live with. That's why it's called negotiation.
If, in fact, Comair goes out of business (highly doubtful), you will find that life goes on. You will start over at another airline--there are a number of former Eastern, Braniff, and Pan Am f/as at AA. Or, you will get out of the airline business--probably the smarter move given the current environment.
Twenty years ago, if you had told me that my company, Texaco--at the time the 3rd largest oil company in the U.S.--would not exist in 2006, I would have asked what you were smoking because it was bound to be illegal. But today, Texaco does not exist--there are Texaco gas stations, but the company itself was bought by and folded into Chevron.
Hang in there. There's no point in getting too upset or worried about what the company and the union are or are not going to do. There's nothing you can do to influence the situation either way. (BTW, the advice to have a Plan B in place is excellent. In fact, you should ALWAYS have a Plan B.)
