I'd be more than happy to explain!
The voting numbers in TULSA alone are more than enough to vote in and vote down any contract! The line stations cannot "out-vote" Tulsa. TULSA could care less what happens to the line stations and vice versa... Whatever benefits TUL even at the expense of the line stations is what is going to pass. The line stations are helpless.
Do you need any further explanation?
OK, So what should the TULSA crowd do then? Agree to outsource their jobs to save you at the line? That will NOT happen.
Another one that I cannot figure out is how you intend to change this problem by attacking and mocking those in Tulsa. You should really try to educate them about exactly what it is you need, rather than attack them.
I work here in Tulsa, and I am very concerned about the line mechanics well being, but the more I read your post, the more I figure why should I do anything to save you because you would damn sure vote to get rid of me!
YES, Please explain your thinking further so that I might know my own limits when it comes to taking a stand.
Instead of just attacking with innuendo, I will offer a solution.
Contract Proposal
1. Offer Early Out option to retire the large number of aged folks on the defined pension plan. A (3 and 3) 3 years age, 3 years seniority would probably dump the mother load into retirement quickly.
2. Offer an increase in pension benefit formula to the TWA mechanic so that they can afford to leave.
3. Close MCI and offer full seniority to those few that will choose not to retire after #2 is implemented. Sell this overhaul base.
4. Offer wage and benefit increase to the unretired mechanics possibly including stock options since the company doesnt seem to count those as cash offerings, we could gain substantially by this method.
5. Offer Line Premium pay that will be worthwhile and offset high cost of living areas.
6. To fund cost of the above, create a new classification whereby new hires are no longer offered the defined pension but rather a 401(k) matching fund. And once again lenghten the time to top-scale pay. Through attrition, allow those that already have the defined pension to retire with that plan. Eventually the defined plan will no longer have a liability. But remove the defined plan from no employee.
7. Offer a length of agreement that will allow AA to purchase and replace the MD-80 Fleet. As retired personell are replaced, the CASM will average down. The faster you hire workers the faster your average CASM will drop. Lower CASM equals higher yield.
Now this may sound like 1983 all over again, and it does to me also, but I fear the alternative is not a win,win for all involved. It is obvious to me that the carriers that wnet through BK have a cost advantage over AA. We must find a way to make gains, and reduce those cost at the same time. And we have lived through this type of plan once with sustained growth, we can do it again. Everyone seems to respect Crandall, let's do his previous plan again with a twist on pensions.
Also, it should be noted that I do not have access to the books and exact cost figures, so this is a general proposal. Also, I am no financial wizard so go easy on your response to this. I am simply a middle age worker concerned that our future is a stake in the next negotiations, and having a knock down drag out battle with the corporation is not in our best interest or theirs.