I am quite frankly disappointed with many on both sides of this debate!
When I read this, "a workable solution that benefits his membership," I realize we, as a whole pilot group, are still thinking in the ways of our culture, "It's all about me..."
Even those "strong" and radical "unionist" on the LUAL side (my "side" BTW) are singing the same tune, "it's all about me..." The cold hard truth is this isn't all about you or I, it is about US! This job/profession is made up of men and women from various parts of the aviation globe and come together to operate these UAL (LUAL and LCAL) airplanes. When either side becomes overly "entitled" then the integration will go bad and another USAir or AA/TWA will happen.
Here's the problems as I see it:
1. Pierce see himself as the control and savior of the LCAL side and it appears he will do anything to advance HIS position at the cost of others (not unlike Sr. Management). There is no "we" in his vocabulary except when he looks in the mirror.
2. The LUAL side were spoiled (yes we are/were) during the ESOP years. We had rapid advancement, got just about all our training and QOL issues covered and then after a "Summer of Love" achieved the greatest improvement in the CBA since "Blue Skies" (yes Blue Skies was the largest single pay raise up to that point in UAL history).
3. The two current contracts are miles apart between LUAL/LCAL as are the LUAL expectations of the JCBA.
My summary:
It all adds up to why we can't get a JCBA is because the LUAL won't compromise (read takes reductions in work rules) from our current contract. All this discord between us will very shortly lead J. Pierce obtaining an "interim" CBA for the LCAL side and leave the LUAL pilots on their own.
As so many have mentioned the UCH Management has time on their hands and by simply patching the holes, can wait out and place orders for new airplanes, replace the LUAL ones and let this side, LUAL, just dry up and wither into an insignificant and meaningless side of the house.
What do I want? True working together and recognition there is another side to these talks and "compromise" must be made to achieve a JCBA and eventual SLI.