[QUOTE=dogger;993044]
Originally Posted by
jsled
I have sat in on Union meetings as of late. As I understand, the CAL side scope clause prevents the above scenarios explicitly (not vaguely as the 70 seat issue at hand). UAL scope does not have protection from these scenarios. The TP&A was created to mostly protect the UAL pilots from the above. Unfortunately, most of these protections expire at the end of 2011. That was the longest period of time that management would agree to. If the agreement had not been signed, the furloughs, whipsaw and such might have already started. When I asked, what was the major delay in contract negotiations, we were told that the banding issue ate up over 4 to 5 months of negotiating time. Although I am not happy about the situation, I don't have any control or input. We need a contract now!!!! And not just any contract, an industry leading contract!!!
I wouldn't buy that line about the 4-5 month delay on the banding issue. I'm totally convinced that even if the MEC's hadn't had this roadblock, we'd be right where we are now, with the company offering nothing but concessions. The day the DOJ approved the merger, our leverage disappeared, and negotiations pretty much ground to a halt. Just my thoughts.