Originally Posted by
bugman61
You have mentioned release several times but never explained your logic as to why you think the nmb would allow it. It goes against the purpose of the RLA to maintain interstate commerce, and the NMB to promote orderly resolution of disputes. Self help is a two way street and any imposed working conditions would inevitably be answered with some level of work stoppage. Doing this while our contract is very much in line with our peer airlines makes no sense. The board would surely lecture us about the risks of not engaging, but that’s it. Being too big to strike also means you are too big to be locked out.
If the company frames it as something required to keep the business viable a release to self help certainly fits the NMB charter. Why people believe that the company would prefer bankruptcy to this option eludes me. The company will more than likely suggests binding arbitration before release which puts us in a tough spot. Certainly given the past results of arbitration at pilots unions we will decline. That adds fuel to a release request.