I be truthful and say I would like to think there is a conspiracy here and actually there has been many changes to the original AIP since it was announced, but the truth probably is a lot more boring than that.

The truth is in the past all of us have worked from an old contract and the process basically modified existing language as the negotiations progressed. This contract is much different in that is essentially a brand new from scratch document. This means no simple modifications just completely new language and with a CEO life Jeff that means precision is essential.

However, I did hear from a reliable source one section of the AIP has been modified at the MEC level, overtime or extra hours. Apparently the ability to voluntarily work greater than 85-89 hours (and get paid, no bank) is a major player on the CAL side. The wording on this section is being carefully crafted for the CAL MEC's approval.

I would also expect an expedited MEC vote on the final language so the "retro/bonus" is available before the end of the year.

There's my conspiracy spin. Take it away!

Why is that? Retro is what it is. Of course UAL pilots should get more retro pay than CAL pilots, as our pay is much lower.

UAL pilots will be getting next to NOTHING in work rules, while CAL pilots will see HUGE gains. CAL pilots will see big gains in B/C funds while keeping their pensions, while UAL pilots will see little to nothing. CAL pilots will likely see a decrease in their scope clause thanks to the UAL pilots scope.

That's the nature of the beast in JOINT negotiations

El10,

I never said there wasn't a lot involved in the process. It's how this process has played out. Not very transparent. Attempts to keep the mec in the dark. Declaring an aip even before it was an aip. Why even declare an aip? A gag order. Why? If the deal was so good, would we need a gag order so to speak?

CAL's contract was also amenable a year longer than UAL's.

It should be called RETRO and distribute as RETRO period.
I hear that one side now wants it to be a signing bonus distributed as equal payment for everyone. I also hear that one side asked for W2 statements to use for SLI arguments against the other. Changing the rules of the game as the game progresses simply for SLI arguments, is obviously causing some of the delay.
The United pilot group bring roughly 2000 more pilot than the CAL pilot group...The united pilots will be receiving a higher percentage of pay increases due to the fact of having lower pay scales. Although the United pilots have monthly caps, I don't think that there were enough CAL pilots flying over 100 hours per month to offset the above mentioned facts. The W2 SLI argument is not going to hold any advantage after the RETRO is applied correctly. Again more pilots with higher % of pay increases applied RETROACTIVELY back three years. I know that the lawyers are going to argue against using revised W2 corrected to reflect retro, but after all Retro is retro and it bocomes part of our over all compensation.

I, like many on here never believed the Gag order excuse....I think that it is a convenient cover to hide all the disagreements.
I have to give it to UCH for knowing in advance that letting the pilots fight over a lump sum was going to delay this JCBA more than they could.

Yep. You got it. Also, the retro split.

And you are wrong.

Lee,

You are posting a lot of hearsay in an attempt to split the groups against one another. You are also combining disparate issues wrongly wrt the Wage Data request and Retro.

W-2 Wage Data for BOTH groups was a separate CBA issue that was arbitrated months ago and ruled that it is allowable (and has been used in previous mergers) as a component in the merger integration process. National is now deciding what the singular ALPA position on the matter will be. Has no bearing on Retro or is affecting the timeline at all.

The Retro arbitration is just that, both parties have floated several different proposals and it is up to the arbitrator to decide on a ratio split by either accepting one of the proposals or creating his own. This process has been separate and parallel to the final JCBA language and had had no bearing on the timeline. The JNC will be in Chicago next week to continue to work on language.

The only side guilty of holding up this process is UCH. And Jeffy is laughing his ass off every time he gets a pilot group to start pointing fingers at the other.

Explain. Both the JCBA and the Retro are separate issues with the JNC still working on language into next week as stated in Friday's update and the Retro is in an expedited arbitration process.

Both processes are independent of each other.

I just want this to be over with, the way I see the sooner this gets done, the more drinking buddies I will have!