Originally Posted by
Derfred
Here is my take on it:
The Company's position is that they will not order aircraft unless they have locked in the crewing cost. That makes some sense from a business perspective, and it's not difficult to understand.
The Company's further position is that the crewing cost they seek needs to be even more efficient than the existing 787, and that if AIPA and the pilots do not agree to this, right now, then the aircraft will not be ordered. This is a significant stick/carrot/bluff negotiating tactic that is not impressing too many pilots. It is basically up to AIPA today to make a decision on whether to agree to put a negotiated agreement to the pilots and recommend a yes vote. According to the spin, if they don't, the project is dead.
In the last communication a few days ago, there was still no agreement. Perhaps today there is, and it is being considered by the COM. We will see.
Posit that they have in fact ordered aircraft.
Having constructed a flimsy narrative around pilot costs, Little Napoleon convinces a dopey board the pilots are in his pocket.
The board signs off and purchases aircraft. The union make- up changes and a "deal" is no longer assured.
The board is in a tough place, they have compliance obligations under the Corporations Act and the ASX.
It is not beyond the realms of the ridiculous, that a panicked Little Napoleon pushes a deal in order to protect an exposed board...
Friday's board meeting might be fascinating...
Nothing like a little corporate oversight...
With a regulator of substance this might be popcorn time...