I do not know whose workrules will be used. I expect that that is all part of the framework that Bates was referring to. The West contract has very good workrules, superior in a couple of ways to AA. I do know that this deal will not go down if there is not a productivity boost on the part of the AA contract. LOA 93, which is the East contract has nothing of value in it to use as a basis for a joint contract.
I expect to see this go down similarly to the Delta merger. The AA pilots will get a new contract soon with whatever pay rates and productivity issues that have been agreed to with Parker. Then the LCC pilots will be given a take it or leave it deal on signing the contract. As long as the SLI process is done under binding arbitration there will be 1800 West votes to join the APA, thus nullifying the East.
Kirby said over a month ago that the lesson learned from the failed attempt to merge with Delta was that you have to get labor on board. I guess they learned their lesson.