SIUYA,
I think that your post was a bit harsh, and near sighted.
Over the past 4 or so years, REX have posted record profits, thanks largely to the fact that the employees 8 years ago accepted a lower wage to HELP the company stay in business.
The company has not only stayed in business, it has grown exponentially, and -as I have already said- made record profits.
The employees who have ALREADY effectively taken a wage cut over the last 8 years are sick and tired of hearing about doom and gloom from a cut throat oriental businessman who bullies his way around the negotiating table.
EVERY single time the EBA is up for renewal, he scream blue murder, and threatens to shut the business down if pilots aren't "reasonable" in their demands.
IMMEDIATELY after the EBA is signed, and for the period of the EBA less six months, he will gloat about how good a businerss he is running, and thanks everybody for their hard work, and air travel is now cheaper than it was 14 years ago, and the company is debt free, and putting money in the bank and buying new assets etc etc etc......
ALL OFF THE BACK OF A COUPLE OF HUNDRED UNDERPAID WORKERS!
All he is doing is bringing asian sweatshop conditions to OZ.... THE very same sweatshop conditions that every bleeding heart activist complains about every time there is a news article about it.
IF the pilots accept a substandard EBA again this time, then he will continue to offer less and less, and eventually it will be more affordable to be on the dole than be a rex pilot.
If the pilots do NOT make a stand this time... then when?
in three years, when he cries poor again? In two years when he cries that pilots are not loyal, and bigger companies are "poaching" his pilots again because they get paid better in the bigger airlines? maybe in one year when the economic downturn has turned the corner and is on the up and up, but "this is no time to be getting ahead of ourselves and paying more JUST because the outlook is better" ?
Whichever way it goes, HE WILL CRY POOR time and time again. He will NOT listen to rational argument as to WHY "his" pilots are leaving for greener pastures, and he is the only one to blame when pilots leave his airline for better money.
Guys are even looking at going to QLINK at the moment. Basically, a 1st yr captain (DE) on a DHC-8 will make MORE money than a 10th yr captain on the SF340.... with BETTER conditions.
If QLINK are having trouble finding experienced drivers to put in the LHS of a dash... then go across the tarmac and offer D/E commands... that will certainly plug a few holes in the rats side of town.
Either LKH and the mangement team need to LISTEN... or all they will hear is silence, as the CT7's won't be turning.
Last edited by apache; 11th Feb 2009 at 09:51.
Reason: typos