Originally Posted by TheManager

First, I would contend it is not an official MEC newsletter. No where does it state that, on any of them. I could sit down today, write a bunch of what I believe are pertinent facts, publish them on line under the banner of 'True Headings' and hang them out as fact. An official MEC newsletter would be labeled as such and signed by a communications chairman and the author.

Ok. Next.

The Railway Labor Act makes the government a factor in every pilot contract, whether the involvement of the National Mediation Board is actual, or merely implied. There could be nine Section 6 notices in play a year from now, and the outcome of one contract has consequences for all the others. The failure or success of one pilot group plays a factor in the potential of all the others.


The managing of expectations has begun. Those expectations are being managed down. Without stated goals present in any communication from the MEC, this above statement does just what it is designed to do. Downward expectation management.


"With rationalized top and bottom wages in our industry, we are certainly better positioned to bargain for contract improvements than in the recent past."

Rationalized. What the phuque does that mean. Is that like Lee Moaks statement to Bloomberg/Business Week Magazine? "Our contracts are mature and need only adjustments on the margins."

Rationalized at the top says to me that DALPA is ok with the current benefit and compensation level at the top of our contract in relation to the industry. Worse, "rationalized wages at the bottom in our industry" implies ALPAs condoning the whip saw antics that see the lowering of wages at the regional level of our industry.

This is a giant fail. I expected more for the constituents prior to entering negotiations. Not this unsigned, meandering missive that has little value. Come on Dalpa. Step it up.

Not a way to start the eve of negotiations.