Originally Posted by APC225

Yes indeed.

Things were not going well (have they ever been?) and the company absolutely had to have that money shot and story of "the merger has been a success, the worst is over, see, everyone gets a check" on Valentine's Day It wasn't awarded based on a TPA interpretation or a side deal. It was a settlement of a grievance over the improper sale of some 757s. Since the planes were already gone, the settlement could only be punitive in cash. By JP's own words in a union conference call last Spring he said at the very best union would have received was one to two million dollars for harm done. So, the company settles a $2m grievance for $40m. What a great deal. Right. When has the company ever been that helpful to the pilot group. As I said at the time, WE had the leverage and should have said "you want to have a photo op of unity on Valentine's Day? Great. Negotiate in good faith NOW so we'll have a JCBA on Valentine's Day and we'll give all the photos you want."