Originally Posted by heasdstrong
Here are some proposals from NW for the F/As
They would like to-
Reduce hourly rate 23%
Eliminate short crew
Outsource 50% of the intl. flying
Trip hour credit 1/4 (we would get paid 1 hour for every 4 that we sit...layovers don't count toward this)
Vacation-max 29 days min. 12 days
No pay for gov.'t madated training
Eliminate holiday pay
Increase on duty limitation to 15 hrs. (domestic) 16 hrs. (intl.)
Eliminate employee parking
Eliminate crew meals
They are really trying taking the glamour away!
I know I am not going to be popular when I say this, and contrary to what you may think I am on the FA's side in general (for example I think 23% rate cut is INSANE). But some of the things on this list seem a bit much anyway, and MANY of us live without in our jobs. I often have to work 15 hours or more a day, they dont pay for my meals (and if I know I wont have time to go out I have to plan ahead and bring something), I pay for my own parking, 12 days miniumum vacation is a LOT, most firms it is 7 days after a year, Holiday pay many firms dont offer. If I get stuck on a delay my clients or company dont pay for any of it, it ends up being MY time.
I guess on these things I would say you should look at what you might get in another job and if you are all willing to give up your jobs over benefits you wouldnt get in most jobs anyway.
Pick your fights is my view of the world, fight for the money and decide what you can live without.
People keep saying they are taking the "glamour" out of the job. Being a FA was supposed to be about glamour 30 years ago when they were stewardesses, now it is a professional position and making it glamourous shouldnt be part of the package anyway, IMHO.