As someone who has long held the opinion that the union is a toothless, waste of space, I have to admit to seeing a glimmer of hope here. I'm encouraged by the apparent unity between NSL and NERL which my local rep, whom I believe, assures me is there.
Considering that our freeze last year amounted to approx 5% pay cut and the previous year's deal amounted to approx 2% cut, with current CPI or RPI whichever you prefer to be around 4-5%, anythingthing less is not good enough. As for conditions attached, they can stuff them where 'the monkey hides his nuts.'
My request to the union is DO NOT budge on the ORDER of negotiating things. Pay FIRST, then talk about AAVA's, then.....
For too long I've watched companies take the p*ss with their price hikes combined with record profits and big payout to their execs. While the working man gets squeezed.
to the union for now.