I'll bite.
If (tomorrow), the CAL MEC decided to side with the UAL Pilots (to show Unity..), they will also have some explaining to do to their membership.
For months we've been hearing that some progress has been made with regards to negotiations.
Are the CAL pilots happy with the progress made so far? It's only been 4 or 5 years right? 'Some Progress' is NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
We have also been told that Jay P and Jay H have been speaking together often.
If the above was true.. how did Jay P not now this was coming and has he been lying to us all this time?!
Hard to tell. If you believe what he says then you should ask him.
Also, if we do "side" with the UAL MEC, even after they blindsided us.. what will be the response from the NMB? And the company?
Because.. once we side with the UAL MEC and request a timeline for release, if it ****es off the NMB and the Company, what have we won?
By 'siding' with the UAL MEC, you are furthering your own cause! Assuming of course that your cause is a JCBA... My guess is the response will be a very serious discussion between UCH, CAL ALPA, UAL ALPA, and the Mediator (possibly additional NMB reps?) to find a way to get this negotiation finished. It should be crystal clear to all of us that UCH is not interested in completing the JCBA any time soon.
Now.. if we do not side with the UAL MEC because-
A) we were blindsided by this.
2) we had a strategy in place and this was not part of it.
III) we realize that by doing so, we hurt the CAL Pilots chances of a contract anytime soon and therefore they are not willing to do that..
Choosing not to 'side' with the UAL MEC because they were blindsided would be foolish and shortsighted. What's important here? Ego or getting a JCBA? If your leadership had an alternate strategy, did they share the details with the UAL MEC? The actions and words from JP and your MEC over the past two years paint a pretty good picture of a strategy -- a strategy that advances the interests of CAL pilots at the expense of UAL pilots! Pardon me for not supporting 'your' strategy.
Then were are we?!
Sitting at a table with the major players figuring out how to get a JCBA poste haste.
Sorry, but since learning more info about how this went down, and after reading the latest from your MEC Chair, I feel that the UAL side has already decided to go it alone.
You can lead a horse to water.... Did you really expect the UAL pilots (MEC and MC) to continue being held hostage by your leadership? Why on earth would we do that?? IMO, we waited to long to call everyone out. We tried to TWO YEARS to work with your MEC and MC, to no avail. It's about damn time we push a strategy that's good for ALL UAL (L-UAL and L-CAL) pilots.
Seems as the UAL MEC has already made plans to do it alone.. no mention of CAL Staffing issues, or the fact that CAL Pilots have been in negotiations longer than UAL.
Why would the UAL MC comment on CAL pilot issues right now? IMO that would be crossing a line by acting as if he represents them, while the CAL MEC is preparing to meet. I would see that as blatantly undermining the CAL MC. There is plenty of time to get together and release joint messages.
Therefore, if the CAL Side feels that they have no other option but to also go it alone- oh well.
That would be a HUGE mistake. Your leadership needs to put ego aside and DO THE RIGHT THING.
The only real chance we have of this working out ok is if ALPA National steps up to the plate and pulls everyone in for a smackdown, no holds barred discussion and works this out.
That should have happened after JP broke ranks with the UAL MC and negotiated a CAL specific monetary improvement to your CBA. I sent a couple of very detailed emails to Moak that generated some discussion with him. At the end of the day, it appears that he didn't do squat. I specifically warned him about the damage to the unity and trust between the pilot groups that would result if JPs actions went unaddressed. Now the chickens are home to roost. That being said, I would welcome that kind of discussion so long as it results in the unity of effort and action that has been lacking from the CAL leadership.
But basically, I think we may be screwed~
Based on the previous actions of your ALPA leadership, you have good reason to feel that way. That's the way I've been feeling for quite some time.
I'm still an optimist and believe that your leadership will do the right thing and join this campaign. We have a LOT riding on it.