Originally Posted by
beernutt
No. If if my posts have given anyone the impression that I think we ‘need a deal, any deal’ let me clear that up now. I firmly believe that no deal is better than a bad deal. I am, though, in favor of mutually beneficial negotiations. The company is hurting. We can help. In the process, we can extract gains. You know, negotiations. Not capitulation! But we can’t even begin negotiations without dialog, and dialog won’t begin until there is a sense that it will be received.
Nice! I agree with you. The problem, as I see it, is the olive branch has been extended any number of times by the MEC (according to all the communications I’ve read) and been rejected by the company. You can not negotiate with yourself......you won’t win. 
Again, it takes two parties to negotiate.
In answer to your contract 2001 question, I was a new hire on probation and unable to vote on it, and in reality so new that I had and have no idea of the makeup of the MEC at that time. Subsequent LOAs and the like occurred during my 4 1/2 year furlough.
I’m sorry you got furloughed. I can’t imagine how tough that was. Concessions were not negotiated until letter 46 was signed. I believe that was in the late 2004 or 2005. The point being...it was YEARS not months.
Based on your posts, you seem like a rational guy. I respect your decision to stand behind this MEC 100%. I happen to disagree. It’s ok. I totally agree it takes two to tango, but it seems to me that one of the dance partners is pouting in the car because they don’t like the music. We disagree on which one that is. It’s ok.
Why hasn’t the Company come out and said they are willing to negotiate but Dalpa is unwilling? The Company is playing their cards very close to the vest and are being very incommunicado. I know we will never change each other’s mind. It’s those on the fence I’m after! But at this point, there probably aren’t many of those!
Anyway, have a good night!
Denny