> we are paying pilots who pick up certain open trips 150 percent of their hourly rate — as much as we are allowed to pay them per the contract
Pretty sure this is not correct. The contract most probably prevents the union from demanding more for overwork, but doesn't prevent the employer to voluntarily pay more.
The 150% cap in the contract is most probably a concession the unionized pilots granted in exchange for some benefit, e.g. "we want a better 401k employer match! Ok, but only if you agree to cap maximum overpay at 150%."
Yes, and additionally it seems the AA rep is using some pretty sneaky weasel words, making it seem like the contract is to blame for the limitation on overtime, when we can pretty much guarantee it's not. Capped overtime pay is something the airline demanded, for sure.
Capped overtime pay is something the airline demanded, for sure.
Probably, yes, but I could also imagine the union wanting a cap as well, to limit the airline's power to resolve situations like this without having to negotiate with the union. The union is clearly pissed off that the airline hasn't needed to involve them yet. If the airline can't unilaterally offer higher pay to the pilots to fix this problem, that gives the union a chance at benefiting from it.
Pretty sure this is not correct. The contract most probably prevents the union from demanding more for overwork, but doesn't prevent the employer to voluntarily pay more.
The 150% cap in the contract is most probably a concession the unionized pilots granted in exchange for some benefit, e.g. "we want a better 401k employer match! Ok, but only if you agree to cap maximum overpay at 150%."