Just read the LOA this morning.... despite initial rumors I have to point out that it IS NOT a "Done Deal" for integration. It merely maps-out a mutually agreed-upon plan should integration occur. (both the company and the union signed-off on it)
The pertinent line is as follows:
LOA 01-013:
B. Crewmember Protections Following Recognition of a Single Transportation System
1. The company MAY elect to resolve the single carrier issue described in LOA 01-001 by recognizing NJA and NJI as a single transportation system prior to (a) a ruling by the NMB that NJA and NJI constitute a single transportation system or (b) Nov 21, 2010, whichever is earlier.
The plan calls for integration based upon the already-established "date-of-hire" Virtual Seniority List. No displacements would occur (protection for NJI pilots) and the 9 NJI pilots who currently earn more than the NJA TA payscale would be pay-protected until the payscale “catches-up” to them. (the other 316 pilots would actually be getting a payraise)
If integration were to occur, this is certainly the way it should be done. It’s a very fair and balanced agreement. Neither side gets hosed - which would go a LOOOONG way toward esprit de corps amongst the troops. (which in turn, keeps the entire operation flowing smoothly for our customers)
However, as I stated earlier the company is under no obligation to merge NJI and NJA.
It does however, guarantee that from Nov 21, 2008 forward,
ALL NJI First Officer positions and 1/3 of the NJI Captain vacancies will be filled by NJA seniority-list pilots. (currently only 50% of the NJA FO vacancies are filled by NJA pilots) After Nov 21, 2008 pilots wanting to work at NJI will have to go through NJA.
The LOA sets the stage for the following possible scenarios:
1. NetJets recognizes the two divisions as a Single Carrier and decides to integrate. In this case, they would have until Nov 21, 2010 to complete the process.
2. NetJets does not recognize Single Carrier status and the NJA Union files the Single Carrier suit on Nov 21, 2008 as originally planned.
*if NetJets looses the case, integration will be handled by the NMB who may or may not follow the plan outlined in the LOA (not a pleasant scenario if anyone has been keeping score of the NMB’s track-record with mergers) – things could get really ugly for BOTH pilot groups
*if NetJets wins the case, the 2 division will operate as usual and the company will continue to "whip-saw" them against eachother
In either situation, due to the fact that NJI pilots will no longer be hiring "off the street" First Officers starting on Nov 21, 2008 -- at some point in the distant future due to retirements and such, eventually all pilots at NJI will have come from NJA.
