CAL JP said WhAt ?!
 

FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Last week, rather than write my typical Friday brief, I instead published the CAL MEC’s statement to all United Continental Holdings (UCH) pilots. In that letter, the MEC recognized the deep anger and frustration felt by all pilots over the length of time it has taken to begin making real progress in negotiations. We committed to supporting actions that we believe are well thought out and that will realistically influence a prompt JCBA resolution. And we included a requirement, in the interests of the Continental pilots, that we work in partnership with the UAL MEC to reach a JCBA that meets all of our pilots’ goals. Our goal remains steadfast — to negotiate a quality contract for all UCH pilots in as timely a fashion as possible.

One of the basic tenets the MEC agreed to last week was that we will support ideas, tactics or strategies that we believe are well thought out and will positively affect our ability to achieve a quality contract. This concept, by its nature, requires that the ideas, tactics and strategies be evaluated on their merits and considered absent emotion or political motivation. This includes seeking a release (beginning with a proffer of arbitration) from the National Mediation Board (NMB), which must be compared against those criteria. Your CAL MEC has used these fundamentals internally in formulating strategies and plans over its history. As part of our letter from Friday, we sought to carry this concept forward, stating that the two Master Chairmen must agree on standards for major negotiating initiatives such as, and including, the Heppner Plan announced last week to picket the White House.

This is not a new idea but it is a good one. The UAL MEC did a White House Picket three weeks ago and it was very effective, so I thought instead of taking the typical “back seat” (that I have taken for some time now) that we would join the United Pilots. Both Master Chairmen, the NMB and management agreed to a negotiating process with a goal of completing terms of the JCBA by mid-June. For some time now, we have been working to speed up the negotiations and bring the highest levels of management to the table. In the end, all parties agreed to a process, which again, was designed to outline the terms of the JCBA by mid-June. As it turns out, management has hit a new low by regressively bargaining. You heard this correctly, management said they had reached an AIP simply so they could get out from under the NMB’s oversight.

Following the announcement of the Heppner Plan to picket the White House, there was concern from the CAL MEC and all of our advisors (inside and outside ALPA) that the plan could produce a negative reaction from the NMB. Both Jay Heppner and I agree disagree at this stage of the game. Pilots of the CAL MEC, if you want a contract now is the time. It has become painstakingly clear that management only understands a whack to the knuckles. You must attend this picketing event to let management and the world know that now is the time to finish this up.

In the past, as many of you may be aware, I have taken the side of Lee Moak and our management. But for the reasons that I just laid out, today I have turned over a new leaf. I have made a commitment to my MEC that I will make a pledge to suck up less to management and Lee Moak than I have in the past.Today we can be assured that I will join Jay Heppner and the United Pilots on Thursday in front of the White House for a “unity showing of force.”

The CAL MEC remains committed to working in partnership with the UAL MEC. Any strategy for achieving a fair contract on a timely basis must include solidarity and open communication between the pilot groups. The MEC also directed me to meet with the lobbyist hired by the UAL MEC and report back. So I intend to do that as well.

Have a good Labor Day and Fly Safe.

One Union, One Voice

Capt. Jay Pierce
CAL MEC Chairman



PLEASE tell me this is a spoof.:mad:

Of course it is, but as satire it hits awfully close to home doesn't it?

J Pos hard at it again....

Sad thing is.. there's a few things in there that are probably pretty close to the truth.

Motch

How is that dude ur mec chirman... Ur lucky i comeback in a few weeks, maybe ill run or work my way up. That guy is pathetic

There is no doubt in my mind that JP is a stooge for Abbott, but there is also no way he wrote this.

It's is a parody.

Well yeah, but JP is a good guy and has solved a few issues for my family.

Pretty sure anyone would agree that JP made the right choice for signing that 5 year deal unlike MS who will most likely take FA's job when he goes.

Who do you fly for?

Probably a regional.:rolleyes:

Yeah.. and your point?

Do you think all of us are a bunch of idiots with zero personal knowledge and experience of other MECs and the individuals that make up the workforces at other carriers?...