CAL MEC Position Report - Aug, 10, 2012
FROM THE CHAIRMAN
This week I spent time with our CLE-based pilots at the LC 172 local council meeting, talking about the process for the JCBA and the timeline for the next phase ahead. The feedback I received from the pilots and spouses in attendance was largely positive, mixed with a lot of questions and an eagerness for the process to come to completion.
As we stated when we announced the agreement in principle (AIP), there is still some work to be done by the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) to resolve a few outstanding details. I want to stress, in light of UAL MEC communications this week that some of our pilots have found confusing, that yes, the substantive terms of the agreement have been reached. The work remaining involves some final details and clean-up—crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s, which inevitably still need to be addressed when an agreement is as complex and interrelated as this one. We remain confident that the JNC will complete this work as they finalize the language.
The terms of the agreement are now being converted into contractual language for the tentative agreement (TA). Some sections have already been converted to final language in an ongoing process that began with the first agreed-upon section. However, it is important to stress that while we are working diligently to complete the task, we are equally cognizant of the fact that language is critical to the quality of the final product. It is important that we work carefully to capture the intent of the agreement reached on behalf of our pilots. Our pilots are relying on us not to rush language writing for the sake of expediency. We don’t intend to abandon our plan of obtaining the right contract with proper language when we are so close to achieving our goal.
In addition to the work the JNC is doing to convert the AIP into a full language TA, there are complicated process issues that your MEC must address as well. There are significant differences between the MECs with regard to how and when information on the TA should be released to the pilot group. The complexity of these process questions is compounded by the NMB’s extension of the gag order prohibiting us from releasing specifics about the deal. I have provided our MEC members with the emails from Board member Puchala that extended and subsequently clarified the order. Since much has been rumored about the gag order, the salient parts of Board member Puchala's email are provided below:
“The NMB is continuing the Gag Order in these cases until the following conditions have been satisfied:
“1) The Agreement in Principle (AIP) has been converted to contract language resulting in a Tentative Agreement (TA) and
“2) The Tentative Agreement (TA) has been signed by the parties' authorized representatives and
“3) The Tentative Agreement (TA) has been simultaneously released to the respective governing bodies for their consideration/approval.”
This proviso was later clarified with this from the NMB:
“…the contemplated approach is that the NMB Gag Order remains in place until the governing bodies have voted on the TA and arranged for a synchronized release to the pilots.”
This is a situation where the CAL MEC has a resolution that spells out a method for information distribution, the UAL MEC has different policy on the same topic and the NMB has weighed in with its wishes as well. As these are issues of policy and MEC resolution, it is appropriate that our MEC look at the current situation, and discuss and debate the best course of action for our pilot group. For that purpose and so that the MEC is updated on the status of the JNC’s work on language writing, I have called for a special MEC meeting for Aug. 28 and 29 in ORD. Capt. Heppner has called his MEC in as well, so parts of this meeting will be held jointly with the UAL MEC.
Thanks in advance for your patience as we work through the next steps in the process towards a JCBA. It is crucial that the drafting phase of this agreement be completed in full so as to avoid misunderstanding and misinterpretation by either side, and I know it is frustrating to not have access to the details right now. This is especially true since there are bits and pieces of “information” that have been put on message boards purporting to be from reliable sources. I will only say that I have yet to see anything that completely and accurately depicts the AIP. We are all focused on completing the work necessary to put the real TA in front of you and are looking forward to the day when this is possible.
Have a good weekend and Fly Safe.
One Union, One Voice
Capt. Jay Pierce
CAL MEC Chairman