Lies, damned lies and statistics.
I have also received these unsolicited emails. I have also received the one saying that CX was prepared to offer so much more but due to the ineptitude of the negotiators only a token amount was offered! If only that were true - you can waste your time finding out how much better paid other airline pilots are and save me the time and effort next time!
Now, onto the AOA staff. I am not willing or able to disclose too much due to data privacy. Lets just say that the package our gen sec is on is equivalent to a SFO.
The AOA's biggest expense is LOI insurance. If we gave up on insuring our members we could get subs reduced from 1.25% to about 0.8%. If we could get the staff to work for free then we could reduce subs from 1.25% to about 0.9%. Is 1.25% that onerous?
Our staff are competitively remunerated. Given the itinerant composition of AOA GCs over time, it is imperative that the AOA 'corporate memory' is sustained by retaining our staff over time. Our staff costs equate to about 35% of total expenses. Total staff costs at CX equate to 19% - but then they have fuel, leasing, route operating costs etc whereas we don't.
If you want a video club we can get rid of our staff and have calls diverted to an indian call centre. If you want a professional AOA that is constantly fighting rearguard actions protecting our rights, then you have to pay for it. Our gensec has been here longer than I have - more importantly he has been involved with all negotiations over that time. And unlike the 19 of us that volunteer our time, he is always available to give you advice on a range of issues.
I suspect these emails are sourced from CPU members who have had run ins with the GenSec. The GenSec and I often disagree but we respect each other's opinions. We both always have the general memberships interest's at heart.
I find this spam email campaign cowardly and mischievous. If you have a viable or practical alternative then offer it. If not, concentrate on getting CPU membership up from your 10 or so to at least triple digits. Then maybe you can send the emails to your own members for a change!