Our sacrifices

They are many. They are vast. The sacrifices we have made to keep this company afloat are a testament to our commitment to its continued existence. They were noble, valourous acts worthy of historical note.
Or were they?
Did we have an option? Yes, we could have quit and found other jobs.
Did we? No.
Why? This was obviously the best option.
Did we do this to save the company?
No. We did it for ourselves.
So this moral high ground we think we inhabit is in actual fact a self indulged sham.
The truth is this: We get what we can negotiate, not what we conceive of being morally worth.
Which brings me to the economic thrust of this post. Something I think you all need to hear and many are carefully avoiding.
We are in an industry with declining margins and ever increasing competition. True, as of late with the two big mergers underfoot there has been a temporary respite, but the nature of these mergers only serves to underscore the historic trend. As I have said before, we today,will make less than our predecessors. We will make more than those who follow us. This is  a trend that is determined not by our management but by intractable market forces and public demands. To have an offer on the table such as we have had sitting there for the last year and to discount it out of hand is foolish and short sighted, and shows no evidence of having learned anything from history.
We should accept it, as a short term contract, making sure the RJs are on the property at competitive rates, and look to the future where growth and market dominance can attempt to reverse the historic trend and give us more of the pie.
To claim "We want it back" is like demanding your youth back. It's never going to happen. Let's get real.