Gentlemen,
I do apologise if I came across as patronizing, it is not my intention. I still stand by my words, that it is not my problem because Emirates is not my career airline. It is my last stop before I only play golf. However, if required I will stand united with my collegues because it is for a just cause.
What I want to bring into this forum, is that we all have choices, and we all have things to lose and gain, but it is not management's fault in the abstract that takes away t&cs. It is our own inaction, or the fact that we say "well it is not so bad, it still is better than other places". I have worked with management before, and I know how they see us, and some times they are right. They see us as "big boys playing with big toys", and when they change the rules on us we cry and behave like spoiled children, but then we get over it and we say "Hey I still have my big toy and maybe if I do nothing they will leave me alone". Management is also smart in dividing us because they give to some of the boys extra playing money and time, and it is the same playtime and play money they take away from others.
What do we do then we say to the other smaller boys "Hey when you climb the ladder and get to where I am you will enjoy the benefits I have now" Guess what, this is the beginning of the end, because now the boys are divided, and everyones play time and money is in jeoperdy because those who lost it do not want to help those who got it, and those who got it, have no one to support them, so it is a vicious cycle.
We are all smart here, and if we want to find ways to improve our t&cs we can, and we do not have to wait for the market to dry up of pilots so no one applies, and then they will have to put the money up, and we do not need to have a formal union to get things done either...
We are not in the Airforce doing what is required of us by our country, dealing with honourable superiors who have come up the ranks and we therefore can expect a fair and honourable treatment.
We are working for a business organization, and we are just numbers, and just as big numbers add up for management to cut things because it makes a big difference so does it alslo work the other way aswell.
If the attitude we have, that this is all we can get ,and we do not deserve more, then in a free economy that is all we will get. We are professionals, and as such we need to negotiate our t&cs and not expect hand outs.
If you think, that Santa will come to town, or that great ol Maurice will get generous one of these days, and see what a great loving caring fun bunch of people we are and give us a rise because that would be just great, then welcome to the future of more cuts, and higher productivity with less money per hour, and maybe if we are lucky more total pay for some of the boys with big toys.
Cheers