A reminder...
We have gotten off track.
The strike was NOT about money.
The strike was probably a response to the fact that the company has decided to administratively move some pilots from the consortium to the respective national companies. They also want to move the negotiations from the consortium level to the national level. So, instead of negotiating as one, the three unions will have to negotiate seperately. This is, if you ask me, the absolute killer. If this happens we will suffer. Whether you like ot or not, three unions together will always negotiate a better deal, not necessarily the best deal, but a better deal than the alternative. I for one would gladly give up money(it's only money) if it mattered in this situation. But it doesn't, it feels like this is the big fight the company has never picked before.
As to the sacking of all longhaul pilots. Well, not happening initially anyway. Ultimately, of course, the goal is to have four companies and FOUR seniority lists. And no flow(bidding) between the companies. Hiring wil then be straight into longhaul for example. Conversely, layoffs might happen from longhaul only. This is managements dream scenario. Is this what we want for ourselves?
I don't. And I will do what ever I can to prevent it. Our problem internally(union wise) is that smaller groups within the pilotgroup feel wronged by the majority at some point. Maybe they were, maybe they weren't. But whatever YOUR gripe, it will pale in comparison to what lies in store for all of us IF this happens. If, for example, you feel like you have been cheated out of money at some time, well, this is not the way of EVER getting IT. The strength YOU need to secure the best possible conditions will be forever gone if this happens.
Regards,
Ramrise