Moak's letter:
https://crewroom.alpa.org/ual/Deskto...cumentID=48744

June 14, 2012
Ms. Linda Puchala, Chair National Mediation Board 1301 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20005-7011
Re: NMB Case Numbers A-13589 and A-135890 United Airlines and Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l

Dear Ms. Puchala:

I wrote on May 11, 2012, on behalf of the 12,000 pilots at United Airlines, to request that the National Mediation Board release the parties from mediation and proffer arbitration to resolve our long-running negotiations in accordance with the Railway Labor Act, 45 U.S.C. Section 155, First. Further explanation and support for that request was provided in my follow up letter dated May 30, 2012.
Throughout this period the NMB has undertaken extensive mediation efforts for which the Association and its members at United are very appreciative. With the Board’s assistance the parties have significantly reduced the number of open issues. The open issues are now, in essence, limited to compensation, benefits, and scope. Each of the open issues has been carefully discussed and both sides fully understand the other party’s position.

Both MEC Chairmen have been briefing me regularly on the progress of negotiations and firmly believe that a proffer is necessary to bring this negotiation to conclusion. While significant progress has taken place, a real and consequential deadline is now necessary to compel the parties to make the final decisions required to reach an agreement. A proffer of arbitration will add to, rather than reduce, the momentum that has been created and is necessary to complete this negotiation. Clearly, the 30- day cooling off period that will result from an affirmative response to our request is sufficient time to complete all open issues and reach a full agreement.

Throughout the last two weeks the Association’s bargaining team has made comprehensive proposals in an effort to narrow the differences and reach an agreement. It will keep making every effort to reach a new single agreement to replace the United and Continental contracts that resulted from bankruptcy and restructuring.

But it is long past the time that these concessionary negotiations should have been completed. United pilots deserve to be working under a new single agreement that recognizes their Company’s success and acknowledges the sacrifices they made during their Company’s critical periods -- and those that they continue to make each and every day by working under the terms of their old concessionary agreements. These negotiations have gone on too long and further prolonging bargaining significantly prejudices the interest of the United pilots and may well undermine the possibility of reaching a new single agreement.

Mediation has arrived at the stage that the Railway Labor Act contemplated for a proffer of arbitration. It’s now time for the Board to exercise the discretion provided under the RLA by setting a real deadline to achieve a full agreement.
The Air Line Pilots Association looks forward to the NMB’s favorable consideration of our request, and commits to continued hard work and good faith negotiations to enable the parties to reach a joint collective bargaining agreement. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Capt. Donald L. Moak, President