Dear RH,
Thank you for your letter earlier in the week. Without that, I feel it would have been a close vote, but in the other direction. So, many congrats for the aid and assistance proffered in our cause. Seriously though, it is well past time for our 'highly educated' first world managers to accept and deal with the fact that you have first world aircrew, with first world competence, who EXPECT first world conditions. It should be a recognition of shame that the only way you and your fellow Swire brethren have ever managed to reduce the airline to it's present stumbling incompetent reality has been through intimidation and outright terrorism (49er's). That is nothing to be proud of. There has been NO evidence of true leadership from your levels within the company. None. Perhaps it's time to realise that the landscape is changing, there IS a pilot shortage developing and that it would be far better to bring us onside as partners with a common goal, instead of treating us like barn yard animals that simply need corralling and beating. If there is not a 180 degree turnabout in how we are treated and respected, there will soon come a time where nothing will save this airline. The TA was rejected for one reason: it did not address a SINGLE issue of concern in any substantive manner. Please reflect on that. If it had actually addressed the issues and concerns that we have rightly raised, and offered fair solutions, you would have had your vote go the way you preferred. Do not now look upon the aircrew as 'adversaries'. I don't think you have seen what a true adversarial relationship looks like. CC is a pretty mild counter to years of abuse from the 9th floor. RH, why not take this opportunity to rise above the usual petty and vindictive actions that usually result when mere labour deigns to push back against the Swire empire. Recognise that it's time to appreciate the sacrifices and efforts of your most highly skilled and motivated staff. WE don't want this situation any more than you do, but we do now insist on a proper, verifiable, equitable and non-maleable contract. Without that, there can be NO peace. Have a good weekend, and hopefully cooler heads prevail in the coming weeks. On a final note, reading between AT's letter Friday, I can say without equivocation: if she tries to use the Trainers/Checkers against the long term interests of the majority of aircrew, most of us will resign immediately.