Clue:
There was no insult, but it's clear you are clueless to what is actually happening.
Are you sure "given the choice, I'm quite sure a majority of both the flight attendants and the pilots on the property would rather have some combination of the RC4 and AFA president-elect running the show rather than the GAG8 and such."
How about Bill Pollock, Kim Snider, and Mike D'Angelo? By the way, what happens to ALPA's "roll call" balance of power on January 31?
Clue, are you sure "if nothing else, the AFA has pretty much cleared the way for Ihe IAM-M to get what it wants from the company. Strike Vote. Of course, the problem is that the good boys and girls in the IAM-M can replace their current level of income relatively easily compared to some other groups.
Does it seem peculiar that the IAM has not taken a position on self-help? Why, they
have told negotiators that they know that more than half of their members must lose their job or have cost competitive contracts and they cannot make that decision. It is political suicide with AMFA "sitting on the sidelines".
In regard to replacing their job, the DOL reported earlier this year that automobile dealerships would hire an average of 4 mechanics per year in 2005. That is about 200 mechanic positions in Pittsburgh and Charlotte, for about 3,000 workers. The starting pay is less than $17 per hour, requires 54 weeks of training, and costs $18,000.
Finally, in regard to a strike, it's all rhetoric. Do you really think the bankruptcy court and the Bush Administration would permit a strike when the Republicans do not like labor? For a strike to occur the bankruptcy court would to not agree to the company's motion, the IA would have to win an appeal, the RLA would not apply, there would be no PEB, or no congressional intervention.
The ATSB has supported the company with 5 agreements, which indicates they want the airline to survive. The key move was the GE commitment, which I have been told was even more important than the ATSB's support.
Clue, much of this restructuring is a labor restructuring, which is supported by the Administration. Do I like it? No, of coups not, but it's reality.
By the way, who said on this board that there would be a deal with ALPA, AFA, CWA, and TWU that met the cost cut targets and the strike press releases were nonsense? Finally, the AFA agreement will place even more pressure on the IAM and without a TA, more pressure on Judge Mitchell to "impose" contract changes to support the creditors.
Best regards,
USA320Pilot
[post="229625"][/post]