I guess you could have those costs built into merger protection language but if it’s standard alpa the amount would be the same anyhow. Maybe make management pay the 1 million? Not a bad idea. You really don’t want to leave seniority arguments up to management.

Since the discussion is getting constructive and changed a bit I'll jump back in...

I agree that the most efficient way is to have the individual pilot group fund their merger representation (although smaller groups would be at an inherent revenue generation disadvantage there likely is no perfect system). What I suggested was a hybrid since it's an ALPA merger policy it seems reasonable that ALPA would kick in to both groups to voice an argument as a "floor" for both groups' budgets. There is always a risk for litigation. You can sue for anything. In a bureaucracy it always comes down to risk tolerance when creating a policy such as this and I find it convenient that ALPA's policy happens to align with keeping more money in the corporate coffers. I will admit not everyone would see it that way but I standby my belief that the more things that require a vote (LOA's, TA's, etc) the better. Provides for better checks and balances particularly when it comes to money.

I think the bigger point, and what started this, was the realization that the MEC Chairman can just choose to levy our wages without a vote. Again admittedly I'm ignorant on the process for this so it's probably more complicated than that. But the idea behind it is concerning. Question: if the SLI drags on can we be paying the assessment in perpetuity, or is there a cap? What if they decide $30 is not enough? Would like to understand the left and right limits of this authority.

There is still potential that management will be on the hook for some of it when we negotiate the TPA.


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Management committed to paying for all the other employees legal expenses, so...

You telling them to direct the reps to place their name at the bottom of an ISL is being “mean”, and that is a very, very polite reply on my part.
The first part of your post was good, and I appreciated it as too. I have never been part of a merger, and that also goes for the overwhelming majority of JetBlue and Spirit pilots. Alas, then you stepped over the harsh line.

When are your next negotiation meetings at JetBlue. Spirit guy asking. Do you think they are close to any agreement whether good or bad?

I was under the impression that it was this week, but I could be wrong.
Honestly, I lost a lot of hope after seeing your AIP. Also add in that JB mgmt does not think we deserve a good contract because we have not been negotiating for years like Delta and Alaska.

I believe there are 2 days off meetings scheduled for next week, with another meeting scheduled for January.
Up until last week or so, communications from both sides seemed to indicate that they were pretty far apart. To the point where the union was considering a labor dispute prior to reaching the scheduled January meeting.
Last week or so, they held a short meeting, where the rhetoric was gone. Leading some to believe that we are getting closer to a real proposal. I guess we'll know by the end of next week. I'm just hoping the Spirit AIP doesn't water things down for us.

this week (Feb 13-14th). I do think we are getting close to an agreement. The reps say this this last negotiation session felt different( more serious). The company bought the MEC off their trips on the 13-14th (union request). The union’s position was that they wanted everyone off so that they could vote ASAP of an agreement is reached.

the union has also stated, if we do not get an AIP on the 13th-14th meeting we will be in a contract dispute.

Well at least it’s your management saying that. Our own NC was saying that to us.