GB..
It just my opinion.. but I believe the ML was put out to the CAL 170 pilots, so they could have an understanding of how the process should work, and why they feel that they were blindsided.

The ML that is posted on this Forum is missing the header, (I believe) so I am going to post it here.
Mind you, many CAL pilots are trying to figure out this unilateral move by your side.

The last two weeks have been among the most interesting and the most frustrating in our tenure as your elected reps. We understand that the result for our pilots has been a renewal of questions about the path to a deal under the RLA and the strategy of a “petition for release”. Questions have been raised about joint strategy and the value of unilateral strategic decisions. Please bear with us while we try to answer some of your concerns. Put on your strategic hats as you read and be mindful of how all of these pieces tie together
Magenta Line, Friday April 27th

So.. as far as your question is concerned- "How does this help us with a Joint Contract", I don't know. I do feel that your MEC doing what they did without the approval or even knowledge of my MEC doesn't help us either, with regards to a Joint Contract.

When this merger came down, there were many of the CAL side that were worried that since you (the UAL Side) outnumbered us, you would be able to push through a deal that you felt was better to your side, or at least met your minimums.. without the CAL side having enough power to stop it.
But under the guise of a JOINT Neg Comm, and with the two MEC's talking to each other, we were assured that nothing would be forced upon our side. That it would be give and take on both side.

After the UAL MEC announcement on the 16th of April, many CAL Pilots are trying to figure what is going on, and where does this lead us.
The Magenta Line is meant to address the concerns of those pilots.

BTW, did you not think that the last part was dead on?

A unilateral strategy on the part of either MEC is doomed to failure. It is as reckless as it is arrogant, for the United MEC to unilaterally make and implement strategic decisions about our JOINT Collective Bargaining Agreement, which Continental pilot representatives took no part in, and first learned of via the press. This merger was announced on day one as “a merger of equals.” Indeed, it was the Continental shareholders who received a premium in the stock merger. This merger does NOT in any way, shape or form resemble American Airlines buying Reno Air, or Southwest buying AirTran. “Merger of equals” means equal partners in negotiating a JOINT Collective Bargaining Agreement. “Equal partners” does not mean that one party unilaterally makes critical strategic decisions, then announces, “this is the plan, (blindly) follow us.”

With all of that said, our entire MEC recognizes the fact that we have all waited far too long to get out from under a terrible contract that completely gutted the already immature and incomplete IACP C'97. If we persevere just a little longer, we can truly WORK TOGETHER with the United MEC as EQUAL PARTNERS to JOINTLY secure the JOINT contract we all deserve. There is simply no other way. Stay tuned, stay informed, and do not allow management to shift the blame – and your anger - toward our union.

Tomorrow is April 30th. One of the deadlines of your announcement. Let's see what happens next.

Motch