Trafalgar, Av, Arfur
Insightful posts.
The strategery they seem to be following seems to be a "cash out and dump" one. If that isn't the intention, it sure is the vector. Hate to see it happen expecially with what could and should be a growing premium airline--with alot to gain for everyone. As much as I sometimes hate to face facts it does make sense for the goings on.
If they're actually trying to build something good reversing course and actually investing in people (without trying to chisel and trick) would be a capital idea.
I'll bet they're wishing right about now that the little section about graciously extending an unworkable and farcical A day system (which is siginficantly worse than what we used to have--as well as worse than any other major carrier long call reserve system) and spinning off 3-man from the RPs we used to have wasn't in there. What was a done deal in the ratification of the TA just went into not so sure land (and I personally view this as unfortunate). And if anything would be likely to generate a strike at some point, it would likely come from RPs (for a whole bunch of reasons, not the least of which being safety of flight).
As far as chiseling RPs in light of a meager pay adjustment it ain't gonna happen. SOMEHOW productivity will continue to decline. Methinks without an efficient, honest, and forthright proposal (with a genuine effort to work as a cohesive and happy team) bean counters will be baffled when tightening the screws only results in more losses in an ever decreasing spiral.
You have to foster an envrionment where the individual WANTS to go above and beyond to make the team succeed. Think about the best leaders you've ever worked with or for. You WANT to do your best, and don't want to disappoint them or the group--and this is a very very powerful force. They might be demanding, intolerant of slackery, hard drivers, etc, but they instill a feeling of value of your effort, recognize it, and are honest and forthright with you. There's no question of who the boss is, but this doesn't come from someone stomping their feet and trying to assert control that isn't really there--it comes from competence, confidence, and trust. When things don't go right you don't react out of fear but out of a feeling that 'you're better than that.' One would go to hell and back with such a person because one trusts them. Taking things away and 'negotiating' to bring them back (at a net overall loss for the individual) fosters EXACTLY the opposite and builds mistrust. The individual, rather than being motivated to work harder and go above and beyond for the group, directs this effort toward toward using all tools at HIS disposal to make HIS life as good as it can be in spite of the goings on. These goals diverge from what would make the group successful. Sick rates, PRAs, apathy, doing the minimum and only the miniumu, bad attitudes, strikes and demonstrations, looking so much forward to time off vice doing a job you used to love, not WANTING to go to work, etc. are all pretty strong indicators of this.
And it doesn't have to happen. The cost of moving folks forward is so minimal--especially compared with the gains that can be reaped. It really is the definition of pennywise and pound foolish.
The sword of stinginess cuts in many directions. PM Uno (the Japanese guy with the funny glasses) didn't meet his demise because he was harbouring a mistress. He did so by being a cheap bastage and stiffing her (in a bad way) over a pittance--and this is what folks found outrageous. A little to keep the girl happy and grateful (and honour his obligations) could have gone a long way toward furthering both of their careers.
This is where we are. Where we go is largely a matter of leadership.
Last edited by Shep69; 25th May 2015 at 15:56.