Originally Posted by
Hedley
I’m not arguing any of this, but we did just start over. We’ve never gone this long without an agreement, but we also had a pandemic that had a huge impact on our industry coupled with a lame MEC. We’ve started over and these guys seem to be doing what we pay them to do. We can file for mediation and have a strike vote any time we want, but as long as both parties are meeting frequently and negotiating in good faith, mediation won’t accomplish much. We need to stop looking at this as our contract has been amendable since 2019, but rather we just started over with a new bar set by Delta. Our New MEC hasn’t been at it long. If negotiations break down, I believe that this MEC will be quick to file for mediation. Until then we need to remain active, but give them time to work. Expecting this to follow personal timelines or happen quickly is about like standing in the desert and shouting “rain damn you!”. It might make people feel good to vent, but it won’t accomplish much.
Truth!
Why in the world would a Mediator even agree to take this negotiation? What would they DO when we are making steady progress? If my understanding is accurate, once in mediation our negotiation schedule belongs to the Mediator? How long until one is assigned, briefed on the current status and ready to set a schedule? Mediation may well be necessary but right now it's not a sword we should be swinging. Let this team do their job, follow the comms, demonstrate unity in the ways they ask, get smart on the process, talk (on the phone or in person) to your reps, and mentor those pilots who aren't as connected.
Just be smart.