hp_fa said:
I have posted this before, but what I really think is that the merger of the workgroups should go by relative seniority. If you are in the 51st percentile at U now, you will be in the 51st percentile once merged. The same for HP. You can change the percentile to any number you wish, the 1st percentile at HP will be in the 1st percentile after the merger.
I fail to see why HP employees, who have been working their butts off to make HP competitive to other carriers and turn profits have to take it on the chin for U employees. That said, I do not want to improve my lot in life at the expense of a U employee, I just want to keep what I have. I don't want PHL or CLT, don't want to go to Europe or the Carribean, I just want what I have.
Frankly, if it wasn't for the DOH stuff I would be enthusiastic about the merger. As it is I am not.
[post="274127"][/post]
Warning: The following comments may: A) make you angry, B] cause apoplexy, C) infect you with bubonic plague, D) or just piss you off. Dont read my comments if all you're going to do is flame me. FirstAmendment asked for honest feedback. Here's my take...and this is just my opinion:
I agree with hp fa.... as do many HP union employees. With so many people screaming DOH, HP employees are less than enthusiastic since most will have lower seniority. Frankly, I think many HP employees resent the attitude of DOH being the final word. (Yeah, I know, contracts, bylaws, etc....dont even go there, its already been said frequently on the boards.) Who knows how it will all turn out.
I also think many worry what the combined company will turn out like. Will HP culture get swallowed up in US culture? Will the two groups "fit"? Will HP just disappear into US (albeit one run under new management) Will we all become like a pack of dogs fighting over a bone for jobs? HP employees will be the minority group in the merger, will their voice be heard?
Also, there's the whole pay issue. HP for years was, and still is, one of the lowest paying airlines, in most job areas. Other airlines (not anyone in particular) are/were getting higher pay. Unfortunately, many unions have, and are now, giving back those gains. What happens when (we all hope) the new company makes money? Is everyone going to want their old levels of pay back & scream that "they deserve it for all they gave up in the past"? I'll tell you this, unless the new company becomes like SWA with a gizzillion consequtive quarterly profits, you ain't going to make what you used to make. Won't happen.
Additionally, just like others in the industry, some people question the wisdom of combining HP/US. Is this the right move? Will we (all of us) survive? Doug P seems to be a good leader, and fair, but he's gambling the house on this one. Either he'll be the darling of Wall STreet if this succeeds, or "another failure" in the long history of airline mergers.
Then there's all the details to be worked out in combining two different corporations, cultures, work ethics, ways of doing things....which are time consuming, sometimes difficult, and always a pain in the neck.
Bottom line: Can it work? Yes, I think it can, but will be difficult. My hope is that we can all work together to make it happen in a positive and fair way to all involved.
(OK, now you can throw darts....)
I get befuddled in the sun :blink: ,
Desert Rat
