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[Hopeful]

This is a tough issue. There is a time to take a principled stand and a time to be a pragmatist. Right now I lean toward the latter because I don't see anything else out there better than the (concessionary) wage I'm currently receiving. If times were good and unemployment low, we'd have a much stronger negotiating position. But choosing to be pragmatic at this point means looking reality straight in the face, and it ain't pretty.

Let me remind you that the company only afforded us a 6 1/2% raise over 6 years during the 1995-2001 contract. those were some of the most profitable quarters and years in AMR history.
And before you respond with "WELL THE TWU NEGOTIATED THAT AND YOU PEOPLE VOTED FOR IT," stop right there.......AA knew their future growth and profit outlook. They offered a "5 and 5" retirement package where many a senior member voted for it. Smart move on AA's part, no argument from me there.
To top it off, we had to wait three years for the first 3 1/2% and another three years for the three % balance.
Spare me the "ask for more when times are better" spiel.


With the help of the TWU, the company negotiated away 40 years of gains and no every single item has to be fought for again and the company doesn't want to give squat without more concessions.

AA management is not that different from the WALL STREET financial and insurer bunch who ARE STILL GETTING THEIRS AND NOW WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

They are still taking and not giving.

 

[frontline]

Hopeful, that's why I don't think we should go for a long contract right now (or ever). Forget 5 years, I'm thinking two. Unless we acquire the skill of fortune telling, we should probably never go more than three years unless they're offering a lot. Too hard to accurately predict the future.

So my position is yes, we're hurting right now because of a nasty recession. So let's take some incremental gains now while everyone else in the economy is taking pay cuts or losing jobs entirely. In two years things will be better and we'll take a fair share of the gains.

 

[Jager]

In the current economic status, South West was able to negotiate a modest but affordable tentative contract for their techs..

Key word is “Efficiencyâ€￾..

AA is grossly inefficient when it comes to hourly production..

The line and O/H can run with less people…

But this can only occur if the remaining employees are motivated to produce at 100%..

As in Arpeys entourage, motivation means properly compensated..

We will not produce at a rate of 100% if compensated at 60%..... period!!!

 

[The Dissident]

In the current economic status, South West was able to negotiate a modest but affordable tentative contract for their techs..



We will not produce at a rate of 100% if compensated at 60%..... period!!!

Well said.