UA MEC Update from Friday 09/03/10
Hear is our MEC update as promised. Hope the training for the recalls starts in November or sooner. [FONT='Minion Pro Cond','serif']Update From the Master Chairman[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']This week, Continental CEO Jeff Smisek announced management selections for the new United. The position of Senior Vice President of Flight Operations will be Captain Fred Abbott from Continental. I have communicated with Captain Abbott and conveyed the need to mutually shape our collective futures. Together we can make this airline the power house it has the potential to be, but it will require the pilots and a culture that values pilots. [/FONT][FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Mike Quiello will continue running Safety in the new entity, currently serving in that capacity here at United, and Doug McKeen, United Labor Relations, will remain in that position. Mike Quiello has announced that the new United plans to use the CAL Operating Certificate. Currently, Air Micronesia operates under a separate Operating Certificate which will first be merged into the CAL Certificate. The repair station certificate will be United’s. [/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']As I reported last week, the DOJ concluded their review of the merger indicating that the DOJ had no opposition to the transaction and closed its investigation. While the Obama Administration is favorably inclined toward labor and unions, the DOJ is a law enforcement agency. As such it is not a political body that reviews political and labor concerns of a proposed merger. The DOJ has a limited charge with respect to mergers to carefully review anti-trust, anti-competitive and monopolistic concerns affecting the consumer. [/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Continental anticipates sending recall letters to its 132 remaining furloughees. In 2008 it furloughed 147 pilots, 15 of which were recalled on their previous bid. This bid is to staff six 787s not expected to be delivered until Fall of 2011 to early 2012, well after the companies are merged. Continental also anticipates hiring which would mean beginning to bring back our furloughees as a result of the Transition and Process Agreement. We very much welcome the proposition of bringing back our furloughees.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']The Joint Negotiating Committee continued talks with their company counterparts this week in Denver. Negotiations for a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement continue. The Companies have targeted October 5 as the completion date for contract talks with the pilots.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Aware of managements' October 5 target, ALPA will not be rushed into an agreement simply to meet the Company's desired deadline. Key issues have yet to be addressed, and it remains unclear the posture managements of both airlines will take regarding each of these key issues. Time by no means outweighs substance in the new JCBA. [/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Outsourcing, particularly with the use of regional jets, has the allure of creating a profitable business model, however this pretense has been false since its inception. Delta has just recently announced that it will be grounding half of its regional jet fleet in Cincinnati. As it should be apparent to all, it reaffirms why scope provisions are essential in the ongoing JCBA negotiations, not only to benefit and create security for all pilots but to also strengthen the airline, the operation and financial success. [/FONT]Congrats and let's hope the good news continue to come in September,