Originally Posted by
syd111
Dave yes many always felt that 1985 strike was called off due to the fact that it was crumbling, they went back without really gaining anything from what I can remember.
Considering that UAL's main goal was to destroy ALPA and have them kicked off the property, I would suggest to you that we really did gain quite a bit.
There was quite a debate on the MEC about whether to go back or not (when we did). A huge factor was the emotional request to the MEC from AFA President Pat Friend requesting that we return as the F/A group was in trouble - that's not meant to belittle the group, it was after all not their strike.
We also looked at the CAL strike and what happened there with no wish to fall into the hole they did.
I can also state with no uncertainty in my mind that the company did NOT anticipate or want the MEC to accept the contract when we did. They had no plans in place for a "ramp-up" operation as evidenced by the 2+ weeks of most strikers not flying when the contract was accepted. We did exactly what they did not expect us to do.
... they also went back without a group that did support them.
Not certain what you mean by that.
One more thought with the groups mentioned from the original post, the 570 can be divided also as there were some that crossed and also another 30 or so that played both sides and went back before the rest of the group.
The only recollection that I have is that 4 members of the 570 group crossed, but since it was 25+years since the activity, that could be incorrect.
I do know there was one pilot, I think from a west coast domicile, who scabbed and then picketed on his days off. There's a man who certainly had some principles.