What he does not understand is there is a pecking order, if you will, in the aviation industry. Pilots are highest paid, F/A's and mechanics fall either 2nd or third depending on the airline. Let's say the the mechs at SWA fall between the pilots and F/A's. With this in mind an arbitrator may very well deside to put us where we are, right in the middle of the pilots and F/A's. Pilots recieved an average of 3 years enhancement, the F/A's recieved 2.5 years enhancement. If the arbitrator was to put the mechs in the middle, it would be 2.75 yrs enhancement. This guy does think he can get 6-8 yrs enhancement out of a 3 party arbitration panel. Not going to happen. We have been trying to tell this individual take the offer and move on. The ONLY reason the AT guys will vote this in is because they do not want to wait the 5-10 years to get on the pay scale that AMFA/SWA mechs currently enjoy. The largest enhancement so far is 4 yrs (dispatchers) by an arbitrator. The F/A's nego a 2.5 yr enhancement and the rampers arbitrated a 2.5 yr enhancement. I honestly believe an arbitration panel (which will have aviation ties and knowledge) will put us in our pecking order and would grant us 2.75 or maybe up to 3.0 yrs, but don't think we could get the 4 yrs that are now on the table to be voted on. Yes, I know about the LOA, however, that LOA could very well go away with a lawsuit, but it would take up to 10 years to iron all this out if it went to arbitration, just look at US and AW, they are still seperate contracts at well over 7 years.
Q; Thanks for your input, but this guy is on a big vote no campaign all by himself out here. Most of us are more than likely voting this in. AT we believe (from what we are hearing) will vote this in. However, if this does goto arbitration then so be it, we (at SWA) can pretty much count on an enhancement. If this does go to arbitration, I have already been told that AMFA will not ask for anything more that the 4 yrs anyway. If any arbitration panel saw that AMFA was moving into arbitration with higher exspectations than what they were willing to accept would look extremely suspicious. If we went in asking for 6-8, we would more than likely get it shoved you know where. If you ask me we are fortunate to have an enhancement, if we get it. History has shown that the majority of mechanics groups are always given DOH, not all, but the majority. Past history proves this...\
Once again good luck to all of us, and I don't care how you vote just vote...