February 27, 2012
Dear Fellow Pilots:
Today, the UAL-MEC met in Rosemont, Ill., to review, ask questions, debate, consider and ratify an extension to the Transition and Process Agreement (TPA). That extension is attached to this message. While nearly all of the TPA remains in effect, several provisions were terminable under Section 13-A of the TPA after December 31, 2011: Sections 4-D (New domiciles within 150 miles of another’s domiciles), 7-A (Furlough with regard to United pilots only), 7-C (Flying Ratios), 7-D (Domicile Closures), and 9 (Travel for MEC and staff in support of JCBA negotiations). All these provisions were renewed intact until March 31, 2013 with the exception of 4-D.
Without a TPA extension, both United and Continental, in accordance with their respective pilots’ current contracts, were entitled to open domiciles anywhere they chose. At United, staffing would have been accomplished by vacancy bids with possible bumps and surpluses to move pilots to where the company wanted them. In light of this, we concentrated our efforts on areas where we could minimize any negative impact on our pilots. We were able to secure limits on the number of new domiciles and aircraft types, and an agreement to staff any new domiciles without bumps or surpluses. The SSC and Communications Committee will provide additional details by the end of this week.
As I mentioned in an earlier communication, it took far too long for this two-page agreement to be reached. This is merely a Band-Aid on a wound that needs surgery and sutures, i.e., a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement (JCBA). The company has the potential to do much more with the entire pilot population working together under one contract and one seniority list. We are running out of Band-Aids.
We are United,
Chairman, United MEC