With all of the he-said/she-said going on between the two subsidiary MCs and MECs I thought I'd make L-UAL's explanation as simple as possible.

But first, some history.

Back in early 1980s, the UAL MEC determined that they had an untrustworthy individual in their leadership ranks. This individual was overly cozy with management and when not sharing confidential information with the company, was making deals and promises. Meanwhile the same individual was saying all the right things publicly. During the tenure of this individual a highly concessionary contract was signed.

Eventually the MEC tired of the disconnect between words and actions and this individual was replaced. When the strike occurred in '85 not only did this person cross the picket line but he also arranged for his son to cross the line as a new-hire.

This person was, of all things, the Master Chairman before he was removed. Yes, a former UAL MC crossed the picket line.

For those interested one can read the full historical account of the events in the article "From Wooden Wings" by Patrick Palazzolo published in 1989.

Fast forward to today.

After two years of struggle with the company concerning the JCBA the UAL MEC has tired of a situation where certain a individual (or individuals) is saying one thing publicly, or during strategy sessions, and then doing something else entirely behind closed doors. Every single UAL MEC member is keenly knowledgeable concerning the history prior to the strike, and the "red flags" associated with certain behavior.

If you want to know why the UAL MEC did not signal their strategy to the CAL MEC it's because they also did not want to share the strategy with UCH management in advance. They also want to shine some bright sunlight in some dark corners and coerce certain actors to fish or cut bait.

The problem is not with the entire CAL MEC or the with CAL pilots as the true adversary remains UCH management, but every single pilot on both sides is suffering the consequences of the few.