Thanks Lisa.
Occasionally I like to get involved in these types of debates and participate until people make personal attacks. For someone who doesn't know me from Adam to suggest I don't care is really insulting.
A lot of people don't understand, or refuse to understand, the symbiotic relationship between a union and an employer. It is not "us vs them" most of the time. A lot of people base their opinions on what they hear in the news and the news tends to emphasize labor/mgmt conflict because "if it bleeds, it leads."
I do disagree with you about unions. I would like to see unions reborn. I believe that SOME companies treat their labor force like cannon fodder. I have participated in outreach programs with non-union work forces but it is a struggle. Some people are really worried about being branded "union agitators" by their employer. I encourage people working in non-union environments to "Organize, organize, organize." Sometimes the threat of an organized workforce will give reason for employers to re-evaluate priorities. Some workforces do not want to unionize because they already recieve fair compensation for the work performed.
I'm sorry if I am sounding combative here, but the airline unions have made concession throughout the industry. Again, it is that symbiotic relationship. Whats the point of bankrupting your employer? I do hope the airline unions did have language in the agreements regarding reopeners when the goals and objectives of the concessions are met. I would guess they do. Unions have been on this road before.
Thanks again, Lisa, for your post. I've read a lot of what you have written in this thread. You have an interesting point of view.