Judge's Decision in UAL v. ALPA
November 18, 2008
To: United Pilots
From: MEC Chairman Captain Steve Wallach
Re: Judge's Decision in UAL v. ALPA
Given the court's decision, and our obligations under the Railway Labor Act, it is imperative to remind everyone that pilots will create real peril not only for our union but for themselves personally if they take any economic action in response to the court's decision, in response to the latest round of schedules, in response to the most recent furlough announcements or for any other reason.
The court's preliminary injunction will be issued shortly. It will likely apply not only to our union but to all United pilots. The federal court will deal severely with, and we cannot tolerate, any form of sick-out, elevated fatigue calls, slowdown or any form of pressure or harassment of other pilots for fulfilling their schedules or for accepting junior/senior manning. We will have more details when the court has issued the actual injunction.
ALPA's counsel is reviewing the decision for a basis of appeal, and the MEC will keep everyone advised of all developments. In the meantime, we must all continue to make every effort to maintain our flight schedule. We remind all United pilots that failure to comply with our legal obligations in these areas will have very serious legal and financial consequences for all of us, including significant risks to individual pilots' careers.