[SATIRE]It was never our intention to save money or decrease employee count/benefits. But we are now pleased to forceast an extra x million in profit each year as a result. [/SATIRE]
If a company outsources they can either do it to save money, or to make use of someone more specialized/experienced. If outsourced, why can a company receive similar job duties at a cheaper price? the logical conclusion is they are depriving that person from receiving benefits similar to what a full time company employee equivalent would get.
In our area, it's all the rage for schools to try and do this with their bus drivers to save on health insurance and pensions. The bus companies come in, rent the buses from the schools, make their own profit, pay their employees and still beat the school's old operating costs. Turnover goes way up, and morale goes down.
RAMP: Does this mean we'd see less experienced operators at the ramp area? just MAYBE less likely to engage in teamwork and or escalate any issues?
PROVISIONING: Any efficiency loss from less experience?
OPERATIONS: Would this in any way lower ability to operate/recover as quickly in the event of irregular operations? I've seen dozens of instances where Southwest can get flights in and out quickly (10-20 minute turn, getting a flight out right before an airport closure due to weather, etc) while other airlines can't react quickly and have hundreds of people queued up for flight changes. If a contractor provides service for 3-4 airlines, who gets their full attention?
When I think about any airline outsourcing, two recent articles give me cause for concern: June 2012:
the (contracted)ring of workers for a baggage handling and maintenance company in San Juan and also fears that a terrorist would have a much easier/quicker time getting access as a contracted employee than as a direct hire. May 2012:
a (contracted) Newark airport security provider who employed an illegal immigrant with a fake ID for 20 years.
The most recent WN transit workers 555 contract
ALREADY allows third party contractors for airports that have 12 or less departures per day. This new proposal by Southwest is thus definitely a cash grab.