Originally Posted by
Ottolillienthal
When the CBA expired, the CAL pilots were simply operating in status quo. The cba is essentially frozen. However, the MEC does reserve the right to negotiate side letters of agreement. This is normal and I beleive that is what the CAL MEC did. I think it would be great to get a full cba in section six. but if you can't, and both sides agree. a side letter may adress a key issue.
The side letter negotiated took care of profit sharing for the 2011 calendar year. It expired previously. There was a reason CAL management would not extend it further or indefinitely. They saw an opportunity to trade for something down the road. Essentially it was a win for both CAL management and the CAL pilots.
The CAL pilots traded a worthless grievance that would have resulted in very little for some real money that would benefited all the CAL pilots. It was a good trade.
Seriously? First, your CBA didn't expire - it became amendable. Your previous profit sharing had a specific end date...note that UAL's CBA is also amendable, but our profit sharing doesn't have a specific end date. Those are completely different situations. The reason it wasn't perpetual in your contract is that you DIDN'T PAY FOR IT! You traded it for some other contractual improvements! It couldn't have happened any other way.
Secondly, a union my have the 'right' to negotiate side letters, but we also have a T&PA that restricts our 'rights'. THAT is the issue of the grievance.
You THINK it would be great to get a full CBA in section 6??!!?? Are you F'n kidding? It's not great, it's IMPERATIVE! What limit would you propose for these side letters? How about if we agree to fly the 787's for less than your negotiated rate? How about if we do the same with the 777? Heck, maybe we'll do it for the whole fleet! Can you see the idiocy of such a process???? THAT'S THE REASON FOR THE T&PA!
I think your attitude SUCKS.