The last comments at the bottom of the linked article, from "Capt Kaos," bring up some excellent points Philip missed:
-Philip says the senior pilots, the best paid, hold down wages for the junior pilots. But the contracts are decided by a simple majority vote, and the senior pilots are a small minority (and often not even the negotiators): "Senior Pilots make up the the smallest percentage of any Pilot Group, so they are not in control of what passes. Often, Contracts are passed with improvements for junior pilots that outstrip the improvements for senior pilots. I have seen this happen, and if you are in this Industry a little longer, you will, too."
(So why do junior pilots accept low entry-level wages at regional airlines? Same as any entry level employee: Hope for training to move up to the next rung.)
-Philip says the airlines are severely constrained in fighting strikes, but neglects to mention that the pilots are also severely constrained in when they can strike. "Getting the the NLRB to release a union to strike takes years, which benefits the Airline by keeping the Pilots working under the old Contract for as many as 5 or 6 additional years"
> "Getting the the NLRB to release a union to strike takes years, which benefits the Airline by keeping the Pilots working under the old Contract for as many as 5 or 6 additional years"
How do things work with the NLRB when you want to organize a strike ?
Depends on industry. I am not familiar with airline unions, but in unregulated industries unions can strike pretty much whenever they want provided they are willing to risk scabs or endless litigation.
-Philip says the senior pilots, the best paid, hold down wages for the junior pilots. But the contracts are decided by a simple majority vote, and the senior pilots are a small minority (and often not even the negotiators): "Senior Pilots make up the the smallest percentage of any Pilot Group, so they are not in control of what passes. Often, Contracts are passed with improvements for junior pilots that outstrip the improvements for senior pilots. I have seen this happen, and if you are in this Industry a little longer, you will, too."
(So why do junior pilots accept low entry-level wages at regional airlines? Same as any entry level employee: Hope for training to move up to the next rung.)
-Philip says the airlines are severely constrained in fighting strikes, but neglects to mention that the pilots are also severely constrained in when they can strike. "Getting the the NLRB to release a union to strike takes years, which benefits the Airline by keeping the Pilots working under the old Contract for as many as 5 or 6 additional years"