Heppner quote from news release:

"We constantly hear management speak about the 'fresh start' for the company following the bankruptcy and the merger," Captain Heppner continued. "The pilots, whose sacrifices and professionalism made this merger possible, have been waiting for their fresh start for nearly a decade. The 12,000 United and Continental pilots are determined to hold management to the June 15 deadline that was agreed upon to conclude JCBA negotiations. If that deadline is not met, we fully expect the National Mediation Board to release us from mediation as we have requested and allow us to exercise our right to self-help."

As JH has stated before, a release does not mean the end of negotiations. In fact it means more serious negotiations as there is now a very real deadline (to management): the end of 30 day cooling off.

So there is no surprise that the NMB would schedule additional dates. What we care about is the start of the 30-day clock.

I 100% agree/understand that the "30 Day Cooling/Clock" is the ONLY firm deadline that the Company would be forced to heed.

The question still stands, are the dates that were 'penciled-in' by the NMB (through June 29th) serving as the foreshadowing of an impending 30-Day Cooling Period (IE-"break-neck" 7 day a week neg.)?? Conversely, are the extension dates written in by Chairman Puchala serving as filler by which to allow Mgt to continue the same foot-dragging dance that they have displayed for months on end?

I realize that it's the million-dollar question, but I guess no way to know till the end of the week:confused:

delayed of course...

800 pound gorillas, million dollar questions and over used clichés aside, the 30 day cooling off period is not just a "very real deadline (to management)".

Don't forget they could come up with some pretty hurtful offensive maneuvers as well. Base closures, realignment bids, out of seniority order restaffs? It's not just a one sided pummeling if we get released. But like any skirmish that has the potential of becoming a war, labor had better have more resolve and demonstrate more integrity.

............

EWR737FO

"As I find myself wanting this to be completed, I also see the negatives in this being "rushed" together in two weeks."

From your comments I get the feeling you are a novice when it comes to these kinds of negotiations for your pay and benefits. If I am wrong about the novice part I apologize. But the reason I write this is because the time has run out and given more time the contract will never be completed. There has to be a deadline.

Now as far as your concerns about what we might or might not accomplish in this contract, given the deadline, it really doesn't matter at this point. I can assure you should we go to a strike you will not be happy with the contract we achieve post strike. It's the nature of the beast.

As Roger Hall said to me the week before the 1985 strike, "If the Company wants a two-tiered pay scale then they will have to pay for it."

You see a strike is not about getting what "we" want it is about making the Company pay for what they want. It simply comes down to this, should we strike it will cost UAL Holdings Billions$$$, all of which they could have saved if they had settled prior. You know what they are fully aware of this risk and that is why they keep draggin the negotiations out.

In 1985 the two-tiered pay scale cost UAL over $1.2 billion directly because of the strike and much more over the years of repair and lost good will with the customers and pilots.

In the summer of "love" (2000) the Company failed to come to a timely contract after guaranteeing in the ESOP a seamless contract. While no strike occurred UAL lost both dollars and good will with the customers, not to mention the fact that today's contract struggles point directly back to the previous management's poor decisions in 2000.

This is about economics, pure and simple, how much are they willing to risk by not getting a contract? Will you get all you want? Not a chance, but a healthy pay raise, improved work conditions, "signing bonus" and restrictive RJ rules, yes!

Bligh:

"Don't forget they could come up with some pretty hurtful offensive maneuvers as well. Base closures, realignment bids, out of seniority order restaffs? It's not just a one sided pummeling if we get released."

You are correct if and only if the a large majority of the pilots (think 1983) pilots do nothing. More than likely a PEB (Presidential Emergency Board) will be convened if no contract is achieved. This will freeze what we have and stop self-help by either side until the board can offer their decisions.

Times haven't stop being interesting.

I'd watch the share price get pummeled too, and that hopefully, will cause more consternation for moonbeam zsmiky and the BOD.

How would this occur if we are released into a 30 cooling off period?

Imposed deadline or not, I simply don't think we will get what we are looking for here. I have no qualm about striking and will do so if and when asked. I know from past contracts, CAL has never said no to a contract since 1995, that what is put in front of us is what we tend to vote yes for. Therein lies my concern that we wont get the "healthy pay raise, the signing bonus, or the scope we want" but rather a watered down version of all of that.

I had my expectations before the DAL TA and all the DAL TA did was reaffirm that what we are asking for is not only available and there but more is available as well. I still stand by the quote, " we don't want to kill the golden goose, just strangle it to get every last egg". I hope and pray that our deadline gives us the intended results we are looking and for and not the unintended consequences that so often come with it. MY2C.

Spot on! Regularguy's entire post is just one example of why "old guys" are an asset to this pilot group.