Originally Posted by
dontsurf
interesting. two different issues there, though. you already mentioned the CAL part. but this isn't a "merger", it's a buyout by what is basically a holding company, skywest inc. it'll be interesting to see how it all works out, negotiation-wise, between not only skywest inc. and the board of directors and shareholders of expressjet, but also between skywest inc. and expressjet pilots, with that issue.
The CAL part is iron clad, I think the language in the general scope is a little bit more ambiguous - like you hinted at. Take a look. Maybe we couldn't force a complete merger, maybe we could but we still hold all the CAL flying as there is no ambiguity in Letter 1.
3. Unless otherwise agreed, the following provisions shall apply in the event of a
successorship transaction in which the successor is an air carrier or an affiliate of
an air carrier, or a transaction in which the Company acquires control of another
air carrier; and
a. The integration of the seniority lists of the respective pilot groups shall
be governed by Association Merger Policy if both pre-transaction pilot
groups are represented by the Association. If the other pre-transaction
group is not represented by the Association, Sections 3 and 13 of the
Allegheny-Mohawk Labor Protective Provisions ("LPP") shall apply. The
successor or Company, as appropriate, shall accept the integrated
seniority list, including any conditions and restrictions, established
through Association merger policy or LPP proceedings, as applicable;
and,
b. The respective pilot collective bargaining agreements shall be merged
into one agreement as the result of negotiations among the pilot groups
and the successor or the Company. If a fully merged agreement is not
executed within 9 months from the date a final and binding integrated
pilot seniority list is issued, the parties shall jointly submit outstanding
issues to binding interest arbitration; and,
c. The aircraft (including orders and options to purchase aircraft) and the
operations of each pre-transaction airline shall remain separated until
such time as both pilots’ seniority lists are integrated and the pilot
collective bargaining agreements are combined in accordance with
paragraphs D.3.a. and D.3.b., above; and,
d. Pending the merger of the pre-transaction carrier and the pilot collective
bargaining agreements and seniority lists, no pilot on the Pilots’ Seniority
List shall be reduced in status or pay category as an effect of the merger,
purchase or acquisition.