Thread: Chicken or the egg? Which should come first?
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Old 02-23-2012 | 02:48 PM
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From: Boeing's Plastic Jet Button Pusher - 787
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Originally Posted by jsled
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.

You are correct, the current ALPA Merger Policy that was 'reworked' by the MPRC was rendered complete in May, 2009. The DAL/NWA Arbitration was ruled complete about 5 months earlier in Dec, 2008.

As you were clear in pointing out, I did mention the MPRC was working in concert, though separate, from the DAL/NWA Arbitration. The MPRC's rewrite would NOT have any bearing on the DAL Arbitration, nor ANY OTHER Arbitration already in progress at that same time.

During this entire process, I would not be surprised if the MPRC kept a very keen eye on the DAL/NWA framework/footprint as a litnus test in which to emboss the "new policy".....a live experiment in progress. During this time, the MPRC was able to observe first hand from the sidelines how the JCBA--->SLI "worked" in the first major ALPA v ALPA Merger following the AWA/USAir melt-down (SLI--->JCBA).

Looking at the timing, DAL finished in Dec, 2008, and then the MPRC finalizes their rewrite in May, 2009. Examining further, three of the 9 members (Pilots) that resided on the MPRC were DAL & NWA Pilots (DAL's Dave Short & Rich Harwood, along with NWA's Mike Lararowicz). Do you think the MPRC paid serious attention to the DAL/NWA working as they themselves structured the rewrite??? What do you want to bet that there was direct communications (on or off the record) between the MPRC's DAL/NWA Rep's and the DAL/NWA Merger Process as the steps ticked by?? I'd bet the house!!

What we DO know, all they MPRC had to run with was a smelly bag of "Shiz" that still resonates from the AWA/USAir Merger. The MPRC needed something, and something that worked, so why not look at the process that worked at DAL/NWA. The old saying, "Your only as good as your last game" comes to mind when dealing with the "old" Policy guidelines in the wake of USAirways. With the MPRC rewrite being worked on in concert with the Arbitration, was it's release only 5 months after the "successful" DAL/NWA Arbitration a mere coincidence??? I'd be willing to bet otherwise.

Having us coined as the "Guinea Pig", I don't buy it. As drawn above, the MPRC had a front row to see first hand as to "what worked" as they fashioned the rewrite, knowing all along as to "what didn't work" (circa-AWA/USAir). Whether the 'Horse before the Cart', or the 'Cart before the Horse'.....The JCBA---->SLI has played out "live & in person" right before those who did the rewrite, the MPRC.


Originally Posted by jsled
Our managements did not include us in any pre merger negotiations

You got that straight!! The "exchange of all exchanges" that set the table regarding UCH's Mgt dealing with the UA/CO Pilot Groups.....

"Mr Smisek, can we (Pilot Groups) expect to have an Equity Stake in this Merger"?

His reply: "No"

"Why's that"?

His reply: "Because they didn't earn it".

You are correct when you alluded to the DAL/NWA being 'different'. CAL's former Richard Anderson treated the Pilot Groups (DAL more so at first till the NWA Pilots were brought within the mix later) as Assets, not the Enemy. Prime example was giving the Pilot's Equity in the Merger.....Something that Jeff has flat out denied us.
Bottom line, no two Mergers are the same, this one is NO exception. There are several fluid variables surrounding each merger that can not be kept "as constant" from one merger to another:

** Economic peaks/valleys associated with any Merger's timing.
** Mgt's Style from one to the next.....Surviving Culture/Migration.
** Are there Furloughs involved within the mix, and if so, how many?
** Seniority List Demographics from one group to the next.
** Equipment mix being brought to the the merger
** The list goes on.....

In the end, time will tell on several levels. Like you, I sure as heck hope that we can turn the corner before this hits the point of unobtainable repair.
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