Word going around is more than a handful of excessed crewmembers may be able to hold another seat within 6 months of checking out. Many are scheduled for training 2014.
I don't think they wanted to staff a rapidly growing airplane with folks who could leave shortly after IOE. Training is already tough to manage as a fleet comes online without worrying about it being a revolving door.
I just don't see a workable grievance. Everyone had a shot at bidding the 767, even after the excess boondogle. No one's seniority was abrogated. The company picked whatever number they wanted for excess. They could have picked a higher or lower number. We have no staffing model so it's entirely up to management.