Originally Posted by
SoCalGuy
Really??
Riddle me this via the last two 'big' "ALPA v ALPA" mergers in our industry......Speaking strickly to the SLI vs JCBA, and which item comes first in the process.
Scenario #1:
It has been a tested/proven failure via the policy used in the USAirways, SLI----->JCBA.
Scenario #2:
It has been a proven/tested fact of success following the policy REwrite used in the "New" Delta,
JCBA----->SLI.
The two 'real life' scenario's above are "black & white" as to WHY the policy was rewritten following the first scenario. I do NOT doubt that there will be some form/faction of litigation from some groups within the fray (regardless of the policy), but tell me how deviating from the present policy would be any more productive?? The two roads have been tried/tested, and we've seen their respective outcomes. No need to wonder, thus the present policy.
As it's been pointed out in other threads sharing the same idea topic, going into an SLI Arbitration sitting on polar-opposite ends is nothing but dangerous. The coined phrase "Anything can happen in Arbitration" is nothing but true. You asked what/how do 'you' avoid this? It's been stated.....Having the two SLI-Merger Comm's narrow the gap of difference in starting the process. It's very easy to suggest, but challenging in some respects to execute...that I don't doubt. I hope that the two sides see the "pros/cons" in taking their respective cases to the table, and that some harmony is heeded prior to giving their cases to the panel.
This is not exactly true. We are the guinea pigs on the new Alpa Merger Policy. It did happen that the JCBA came before the SLI at DAL, but it was not because of the new policy. As you said, the policy change came in May 2009, a year after the NWA/DAL announcement. I urge all to read the SLI award for DAL/NWA. It has the whole story. DAL and NWA approached the pilots about a pre merger contract before the merger was even announced. It was conditioned on an SLI. The DAL and NWA pilots tried to agree on an SLI, but could not. So a modification to the DAL contract was agreed upon, later including the NWA pilots shortly after merger announcement. That is very different from having an ALPA merger policy that MANDATES JCBA first, then SLI, as was written AFTER the NWA/DAL merger. Our managements did not include us in any pre merger negotiations, and now if they never give us a contract, we will never have a JCBA. It is that simple. It is why ALPA merger policy has always done the list first, and why it will again after this abortion of a merger. JMHO
Sled