Genuine question, how do we know the Tiger EBA is now low cost market rate, what if they go bust in 6 months, or if Virgin only gave in to this as they know they are going to wind it up?
This is what Management at Jetstar will say ‘that’s not market rate, Virgin and Tiger are being reckless and will not survive with those costs, we can’t match that as we are heading into tough times’. Not being pessimistic, after being on the pilot side of the equation for 3 different airlines and 6 contract negotiations (never again) I have always found the pilot group can be divided 3 ways.
1 - get scared at any bluster from the company and just want to settle at the first offer, will not participate in PIA.
2 - the group who is willing to negotiate hard for modest and realistic gains, even if it takes 12 months, and are willing to admit it is a two way street, would take PIA if every other option is exhausted.
3 - The ‘Lets take PIA’ now as we have told them we want a 20% pay rise and they haven’t immediately agreed, ‘just tell them that’ (after 3 meetings), itching for a fight.
I have seen all three displayed above :-) The trick is finding the middle ground before everyone goes in in their own directions and leaves the pilot group in a fractured position. Judging by the relative length of each parties log of claims we can already see a massive gulf in negotiating position which just makes it harder to progress in any meaningful way.