Originally Posted by irrelevant

Question #1 is not addressed in the contract. I'm not aware if there is a side letter covering this, but unplugging the telephone resolves all ambiguity.

"Emergency operations" is a phrase that is used when the company invokes the provisions of paragraph K.4. I've seen it used a handful of times during my time with Comair. The great IT/Scheduling meltdown of Christmas 2004 comes to mind. A September 11th type event comes to mind. There have been other times, but I'm sorry to say I don't remember the details.

The MEC chair or designate should be notified as soon as the company decides to invoke the "emergency operations" provision noted above. In the past, the union has attempted to communicate this event through the VARS, though there's not a real effective way to disseminate this information to the entire pilot group in real time.

The main point of the requirement for the company notification to the MEC of the "emergency operations" provision of the contract it to create a record of the event which may be used for grievance/arbitration purposes, I believe.

The company can't realistically invoke the "emergency operations" clause of the contract when the staffing grid is red every day of the month, and when on bright, sunny days every reserve pilot is out flying. In these conditions, a few thunderstorms combined with an unapproved crew scheduling system can hardly be considered "beyond the control of the company".

Hope this helps, and sorry I can't offer more. Great job with the contract reference, by the way.

Know the contract everyone...the job you save may be your own.