If CD isn't just making stuff up, which that is anyone's guess, my thinking is this:

ARW ALPA asks UAL MEC to get UAL management to allow ARW pilots to check box. UAL MEC asks UAL flight dept/HR and they say yes that's fine. UAL MEC gives ARW MEC green light for comm. (<-This is actually true) CD, now confused, calls someone (I'm assuming high level, maybe low level, but probably high level) and says "did y'all say yes to this?" Manager or executive who doesn't muddle in individual depts business because they have plenty to do at levels well above HR and Flight says "I'm not sure, I doubt that we did." CD puts out hate mail saying UAL didn't authorize that and the freak out begins among the pilots. (<-This part is speculation)

While I think the email from CD was in poor taste to both the pilots and to ALPA, she isn't necessarily lying. ARW and UAL ALPAs sure aren't lying despite that being everyone's initial reaction. Believe me, the ALPA attorneys do not allow comms like that to be printed until they are satisfied it is accurate.[/QUOTE]