Originally Posted by
rickair7777
Do we have solid commitment from the MEC that JCBA is a bridge? Meaning that it will have a short duration before section six is open again, and we're not going to let the company lock us down for five years?
I've been trying to pay attention and did not get that take away, but I could have missed it at some point.
If JCBA is short in duration, I do believe it will get done quickly. I may not like it for reasons previously discussed but I think if the company is interested in consummating the merger (they seem to be) and is willing to throw us a few bones, that any reasonable JCBA will pass. HA pilots get raises, and many AS pilots will think they're that much closer to widebodies.
Well, I can't speak for the MEC, but we have a CBA that opens up for negotiations soon, and potentially concurrently to JCBA negotiations if it goes that long. I don't think either party wants that. The JCBA is a bridge, just as it was with VX and AS. It is a step in the merger process in compliance with ALPA merger policy. It doesn't take away anything from the CBA and is essentially to completely separate things.
Could there be a scenario where this JCBA pushes the CBA if both parties agree? Absolutely. Is that something our MEC and pilot group would agree to? Doubtful. Again, we need to rework some pretty important things in section 6, and they aren't being touched in the JCBA. From the latest email, it sounds like things are going along in a productive manner and continuing. I expect an MEC email shortly to give their side.