FYI
Emirates have no union...they have achieved 40%plus payrises over the last 5 years. Their biggest payrise was due to a 5% departure rate last year which resulted in a 17%(in total) salary increase this year.
So put yourself in NPR's shoes going to the board. How can you ask for more money for pilots? Why does anything need to be changed? We have had no payrises for 6 years and we have how many thousands of applicants? Whats our departure rate?
No I don't go into negotiations cynically but unfortunately thats how I come out of them. We show them how much everyone else earns, how many payrises everyone else got and then we are told what payrise CX has budgeted for. Do you give your maid 10-50% payrises due to exchange rate fluctuations or as a reward for loyalty or longevity?
If your maid stopped cleaning or looking after your children you might pay more...only if you couldn't get another maid for the same price. Just because we fly planes doesn't mean we are any more than hired help.
If you want a payrise then we(as an AOA) need to do more than just whinge and say we deserve more. Our last payrise was associated with contract compliance...we have been cooperative ever since then and enjoyed 0% payrises in that time.
So as the americans say, sh#t or get off the pot!