"T" minus
 

Is anyone entirely sure what ALPA's, UCH's or the NMB's course of action will be as the line in the sand date, June 15 passes?

"While we don't have a TA there are just a handful of open items remaining. Management decision makers have agreed to continue to meet in intensive negotiations through the weekend and into next week under the supervision of the mediator. We appreciate your patience" is what I expect to read in a blastmail Friday.

That negotiations scheduled with all parties in attendance and agreement (including the NMB) through June 29th is the answer.

Troops are gathering at the border and all indications are that war is imminent, hostilities levels are high, DEFCON 3..........


But I expect that APC225's prediction is the realistic scenario.

Sure then July 15th then??

When there's no TA by Friday I think they'll be done with mentioning dates.

OK well in the meanwhile does anyone know where I can get another "Clock is ticking" or "Contract now" bag tag or a new FUPM red bracelet? Mine are all so faded you can hardly read them...

I'll bite......What's the purpose of June 15th if June 29th is the 'new' answer?? Per the letter from L-UA's Captain Jay Heppner, dated June 10, 2012 (See Thread:http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/ca...r-ual-mec.html ), he states that days following the 15th are "back-stop dates" for the Mediators. I take that as 'penciled in' dates/last ditch effort incase something is not reached by the 15th.....NOT days that are laid on the calendar in which to 'count on' using by ways of just floating the talks.....Anyone care to clarify/explain??

Eitherway, using public math, T-Minus 3 1/2 Days till close of 'business' on the 15th. If the 15th comes/goes, I would not be surprised if both MEC's formulate a release of a stike vote next....Thoughts??

(Capt. Heppner 06-10-12):
"That said, we recognize Mr. McKeen’s letter as further evidence of management distancing itself from completing these contract negotiations in the near term and its lack of commitment to negotiate with any intent of actual completion. This falls in line with comments made recently by United CEO Jeff Smisek on flight decks and attributed to him by a Senior Vice President on a Chief Pilots’ conference call this week that the United Pilots will not have a contract by June 15. These comments clearly demonstrate that management does not intend to conclude an Agreement by June 15 absent action from the National Mediation Board (NMB). Further evidence is illustrated by the June 6 United Daily with the following, “We held further negotiations with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) in Chicago last week, with negotiations currently scheduled through June 29.” This announcement is disingenuous as these dates were set aside with the NMB as a backstop for time with the mediators. Nonetheless, ALPA stands ready to negotiate and conclude an Agreement in Principle on the JCBA by June 15."

It's the only way to draw in the disenfranchised (perhaps myself included) that feel that this management team needs a good swift and legal kick in the groin more than we need a contract. Flying in an hour or so, prevented me from traveling to attend todays rally in Manhattan, but so many that I speak with have grown tired of these occasional "purge valve" events. I equate them to pulling over to a McDonalds with a playground while on a driving vacation when hopelessly lost, to let the kids run around for a while and blow off some steam, while you buy a map.

Personally, I have written and directed my Reps and my MEC to do what ever it takes to get us released. Screw the dates, scrap the TA'd portions of the contract, I want to fight and I want to fight because they have been dragging their feet. All of the squeak and squawk about June 15, if it becomes just another meaningless battle cry, is just more reason to consider the path that the DPA crowd is choosing.

Do I think an in-house union would be more effective at getting us released? ABSOLUTELY and with less than half of the baggage.

After reading the letters from both sides this week, I see the "AIP" being completed by Friday now. Not a TA per se, but a final framework to complete the TA. The bullet points or cliff notes if you will. I also see the 800 lb gorilla in the room which is if both sides do reach an agreement by Friday, what has the pilot side capitulated on in order for this to be finished?

As I find myself wanting this to be completed, I also see the negatives in this being "rushed" together in two weeks. I hope that we have not backed off our positions in order for this to meet the deadline.