Fellow Council 12 pilots:

On January 27th the UAL MEC adjourned its first quarterly meeting under the administration of Master Chairman Jay Heppner.

Many United pilots attended this meeting and heard reports from the incoming MEC Officers, ALPA President Captain Lee Moak, NMB Director Ms. Linda Puchala, and ALPA Director of Representation Mr. Bruce York. During these reports the MEC asked Chairman Heppner questions in an effort to outline his administration and the goal of obtaining a JCBA. The MEC’s mission statement is to obtain an industry leading JCBA.

During President Moak’s, presentation many questions were asked that were pointed and specific to what he was going to do in an effort to obtain our well-deserved and grossly overdue contract. President Moak said that he would do “whatever it takes to get your JCBA.” He also stated, “all options are on the table.”

Via videoconference, the MEC engaged Ms. Puchala, and answered our questions, as well. She detailed the entire process of Section 6 negotiations leading up to declaring an impasse, self-help, and the process of a PEB (Presidential Emergency Board).

During the week, we received many MEC Committee briefings, and the MEC went into closed and off the record session to receive briefings from our Negotiating Committee, Merger Committee, Grievance Committee, and System Scheduling Committee. Chairman Heppner briefed the MEC on his recent meeting with Mr. Smisek.

Additionally, we were briefed that Captains Heppner and Pierce met with Senior management (Bonds and McKeen) and were promised that from here out a “decision maker” will be present at every negotiating session.

The Negotiating Committee met this week and, for a change, some progress was made. While notable progress was made on the scheduling provisions of the CBA there are still areas where we are substantially apart. We hope to see the company maintain their renewed enthusiasm in negotiations to close these differences and ultimately lead to a concluded JCBA.

The Negotiating Committee continues to meet with management on the issue of extending the T&PA.

On the issue of the CAL profit sharing, your MEC is prepared to file lawsuits and grievances in an effort to challenge possible recent violations to the T&PA, our CBA, and the RLA. The MEC hired outside counsel, independent of ALPA, to explore and implement all options available to us in an effort to ensure that the UAL pilots have not, and will not, be harmed.

While it is not appropriate for us to discuss any details regarding our strategic planning and legal options, what we can say is that the MEC has agreed on a strategic approach to address the profit sharing issue. Within that plan there is a tactical aspect that will be deliberate and calculated.

There were various resolutions from Council 12 and other councils providing direction to the MEC on this issue. We can report that all resolutions have been accepted and passed and provided direction where there wasn’t any and re-affirmed direction previously given.

Our goal of concluding an industry leading JCBA continues to be on the forefront of our work. The legal and business decisions requiring litigation will not be emotional. All options are on the table and the process is dynamic.

For now what you can expect is that on February 14, 2012, Jeffrey will hold a photo op with some scab or management pilot in uniform holding bags of money, with Jeffrey’s arm around him telling the world: “See what a wonderful company we are to work for! I am a great CEO that loves his employees! I am the benevolent dictator!” Smile, smile, flash, flash….”now get back to work before I fire you all!”

Many of you have read the announcement that employees will receive 5% of the gross earnings as profit sharing. Our CBA specifically states how our profit sharing is to be calculated and distributed to UAL pilots.
The MEC has directed our financial and legal advisors to conduct a thorough audit of the profit sharing distribution, from a corporate governance perspective as well as a financial perspective to ensure our rights under the UAL pilot CBA are being protected and enforced.

We are just as angry and frustrated at the actions of management that has brought harm to our pilots. Rest assured that your council officers are working diligently and arduously with the MEC and our counsel to reach the best possible conclusion to our grievances. We will not stop until we have exhausted all of our options for remedy.

The MEC Update from Friday January 27 addresses many topics such as Benefits, Training, Safety, R&I, over age 59 FAA Medicals, and others. Please review this update, as well. We continue to address payroll and benefits issues and ask that you continue to file PDRS reports.

We thank those Council 12 pilots that attended the MEC meeting this week, and we encourage you to attend future meetings. We also would like to invite all pilots from all councils to attend the MEC meetings. Our Chicago pilots are well organized on providing transportation and guiding any pilot from ORD OPS to the MEC meeting.

Thank you for your participation in your union’s business.

Fraternally and in Unity,