Originally Posted by
queue
That's not how it works. The mediator is nothing more than an agent of for progress. We are under no legal obligation to accept any suggestions whatsoever. If we do, it is purely our OPTION that we foolishly do. The RLA covers this. The entire mediation process is nothing more than a series of attempts at VOLUNTARY resolution.
The Railway Labor Act Simplified
This communique is for entertainment purposes only. It does not implicitly or explicitly acknowledge employment with any air carrier nor is any relationship implied. This communique does not represent the opinions or policies of ALPA or JB ALPA and does not represent the collective pilot group, ALPA, nor does it imply collective bargaining, advocacy, or workforce actions intended to disrupt operations.
You are correct that we are under no legal obligation to accept any suggestions from the mediator. But...is clear that the NMB must release us, and the NMB relies on the mediator for input, and the NMB controls the availability of the mediator, and this is used to exert pressure on both sides. While we don't have to take the deal that mediation gets us to and we can pound your fist on the table and say no all day...we'll never have a contract because this NMB isn't releasing anyone.