TOPIC: Strike as a General Issue >> Your Thoughts
#331
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Join Date: Sep 2003
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And it's not like there aren't enough strike threads as it is.
#332
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Originally Posted by mjcasta
Reagrdless of your position on the strike . . .
This is not a debate on who is right or wrong . . .
What would you do?? .....When you add it up, the actual loss in net pay is around 45-55%. Sooooo, what would you do????
This is not a debate on who is right or wrong . . .
What would you do?? .....When you add it up, the actual loss in net pay is around 45-55%. Sooooo, what would you do????
#333
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Memphis, TN USA
Programs: NW Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 416
Originally Posted by Gargoyle
Your perspective is one sided. Mr. Sutton (if this really is true, and I can't trust any hearsay on the internet), is trying to keep his job and support his family. He sees the replacement workers as scabs (the traditional term for those filling this role) who are pawns servind to eliminate Mr. Sutton's job and take food off his familys table. Right or wrong, he is trying to protect himself and his family from a percieved attack, and so he is rather hot under the collar.
We're in a Walmart style race to the bottom.
By the way, I haven't seen it mentioned- did management take a 40% pay, benefit and pension cut yet?
We're in a Walmart style race to the bottom.
By the way, I haven't seen it mentioned- did management take a 40% pay, benefit and pension cut yet?
Regardless of the circumstances, Mr. Sutton's feelings demonstrate an amazing lack of "Chrisitian ideal" (if you will...I'm not casting from a religious but rather a moral sense). I realize that his job is on the line (as are most jobs in this day and age). That doesn't excuse his wish to make the lives of others "hell". As I wrote earlier...IMO karma has a way of catching up to people. I suspect it will be biting Mr. Sutton on firmly any time now.
BTW...here is a link to the article where Mr. Sutton's quote is. The site requires registration, but I believe you can log in as "guest/guest".
#334
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 934
Pay
Originally Posted by exymer
From what I have read the mechanics average $70K, plus overtime (from the MN and MI papers).
The reason I am against the mechanics union is that there are thousands of other mechanics willing to work for much less, that is at the market rate.
What makes union workers so special that they get to make more than others doing or willing to do the same type of job. The answer of course is that a union by definition is nothing more than a legalized monopoly. And with a monopoly, you get monopoly prices. NW is doing the only legal thing they can to get out from under this monopoly.
I also resent being told by union supporters that you must support 'working people' in making a decent wage. Well I go to an office, and it must be a surprise to these people, I work. Most everyone in the country works. Wal-Mart people work. Office people work. We all didn't just win life's lottery as Al Gore used to think.
The reason I am against the mechanics union is that there are thousands of other mechanics willing to work for much less, that is at the market rate.
What makes union workers so special that they get to make more than others doing or willing to do the same type of job. The answer of course is that a union by definition is nothing more than a legalized monopoly. And with a monopoly, you get monopoly prices. NW is doing the only legal thing they can to get out from under this monopoly.
I also resent being told by union supporters that you must support 'working people' in making a decent wage. Well I go to an office, and it must be a surprise to these people, I work. Most everyone in the country works. Wal-Mart people work. Office people work. We all didn't just win life's lottery as Al Gore used to think.
$70K is the result of 20+ years of service and experience. So, through this reasoning, my boss should walk in and say, Hey! I am not giving anybody a raise and in fact I think everyone should take a pay cut back to what you made when you were hired because I can bring on new-hires to replace you at that cost.
All of our salaries are based on performance, commitment and longevity. Experience and longevity to the firm merit such rewards as an increase in pay. Yes, someone could do my job for half the pay; but, it would represent a loss of reveune and operating efficiency as well.
Last edited by mjcasta; Aug 20, 2005 at 8:54 am
#335


Join Date: Feb 2005
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Originally Posted by mjcasta
Reagrdless of your position on the strike . . .
This is not a debate on who is right or wrong . . .
?
This is not a debate on who is right or wrong . . .
?
Last edited by yogimax; Aug 20, 2005 at 9:12 am
#336
Join Date: Jan 2002
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I'd say shame on you for buying into the mechanic union hysteria, and not crossing the picket line.
By not crossing, you are depriving NW of revenue, and if it contributes to NW's demise, then you are partly responsible for putting thousands of hard working employees out of work. Way to go.
By not crossing, you are depriving NW of revenue, and if it contributes to NW's demise, then you are partly responsible for putting thousands of hard working employees out of work. Way to go.
#337
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Originally Posted by LTRS
I won't cross a picket line.
#338
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Memphis, TN USA
Programs: NW Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 416
Won't cross a picket line...oh, the horror. If the mechanics had any sense of reality you wouldn't be in the position of having to consider crossing a picket line. Regardless of any actions management may/may not have taken, the unions were going to have to make concessions to ensure the long-term survivability of the airline. IMO, the degree of concessions is not as important as the fact that they were going to have to be made...and the mechanics union wasn't going to make them.
#339
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: LAS
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Posts: 269
Don't use "*cab" when posting at FT
Originally Posted by Gargoyle
He sees the replacement workers as scabs (the traditional term for those filling this role)
They are replacement workers. *cab is a pejorative term. There are lots of traditional pejorative terms that should not be used in polite conversation and this is one of them.
Maybe you think it is OK to shout pejorative terms at people that are crossing your picket line, whether they replacements going to work, or people of a different ethnic group moving into your neighborhood. That's for you to decide. But deliberately hateful speach does not belong in this forum.
#340


Join Date: Feb 2005
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Originally Posted by mjcasta
Wages for Custodians Cleaners range from $8.67 - $15.55 hour after 10 years.
#341
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Memphis, TN USA
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Posts: 416
Originally Posted by mjcasta
So, through this reasoning, my boss should walk in and say, Hey! I am not giving anybody a raise and in fact I think everyone should take a pay cut back to what you made when you were hired because I can bring on new-hires to replace you at that cost.
I suspect that some of you folks are in for a very rude awakening over the next few years (we in IT have already had our wake-up call).
#342




Join Date: Jun 2003
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Originally Posted by UpgradeMe
I'd start with a better title for my thread.
#343
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Prem Exec
Posts: 153
Originally Posted by mjcasta
$70K is the result of 20+ years of service and experience. So, through this reasoning, my boss should walk in and say, Hey! I am not giving anybody a raise and in fact I think everyone should take a pay cut back to what you made when you were hired because I can bring on new-hires to replace you at that cost.
All of our salaries are based on performance, commitment and longevity. Experience and longevity to the firm merit such rewards as an increase in pay. Yes, someone could do my job for half the pay; but, it would represent a loss of reveune and operating efficiency as well.
All of our salaries are based on performance, commitment and longevity. Experience and longevity to the firm merit such rewards as an increase in pay. Yes, someone could do my job for half the pay; but, it would represent a loss of reveune and operating efficiency as well.
The point is times have changed and the unions must wake up to that. Its not a matter of just what you or I may think is "fair", but of economic reality.
#344
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Thailand
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Originally Posted by LTRS
And bye bye to my NW status, because I won't be able to make it this year. I won't cross a picket line. And frankly, shame on the NW FA's and pilots for doing so. 
Bye-Bye LTRS....And......be sure to check the overhead compartment above your seat for all your personal belongings .....and don't forget your coat on the way out!
Good Luck on that other airline...if it's still flying too!
TravelerJim
#345
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Originally Posted by mjcasta
$70K is the result of 20+ years of service and experience. So, through this reasoning, my boss should walk in and say, Hey! I am not giving anybody a raise and in fact I think everyone should take a pay cut back to what you made when you were hired because I can bring on new-hires to replace you at that cost.

