To be sure, I support the IAM"s current position, i.e., contract before transitions. And they are in legal position to do that. Any 'helping hand' agreement is under the transition talks but could be incorporated into a new IAM contract prior to any representational dispute. While I wouldn't think a completely exhaustive contract is on the menu [although we can hope], I think a wage increase up to American's scale [about a $2 buck increase] and a bump or an enhanced guarantee in scope can get done, especially if a helping hand that speeds up the merger is granted. Both, wage increases and additional stations, are sure to happen anyways so if the company and union can work things out sooner, as opposed to later, then isn't that a win win? My concern would be at what cost? AMR workers pay about $247 a month for health care [full timers and part timers have the same], whereas US AIRWAYS full timers only pay about $81 a month for health care unless they have the 100% plan. [part timers x 2]. So, I don't think anything is gained if a full timer gets a $2 raise but then has to fork over an additional $150 a month in health care cost. Given the predicament of working for an airline that is making hundreds of millions of dollars and desperately needs support for a 'seamless' merger, I don't think there is anything we have to give up. Certainly cost neutral contracts should be discouraged out of bankruptcy by the Union, just as much as they were discouraged by the company in bankruptcy. regards.
