It is highly likely that the NMB is going to make a decision sooner as opposed to later. It's been said that the NMB takes months or even years to release a group, but in the situation of a merger we should expect the NMB to make a decision sooner, most likely within 90 days and possibly within 30. The decision the NMB has to make involves the release and also a Single carrier application that the TWU has to file within 4 months. But make no mistake, the NMB is going to have to rule soon. The alternative is to do nothing and make no decision on the release or the inevitable single carrier application. In theory, the NMB can take its time on both. IMO, that is unlikely because if both parties are truly at an impasse then that path may lend leverage to the union but it doesn't necessarily put as much pressure on the company as a release would.
Whatever the case, I'm amazed but not surprised, that there is little to no knowledge about striking, what our members would be striking for, the process, the support, the questions about if TWU workers can do our members work, and a slew of things. Folks, a release can happen next week although that may be unlikely, but our members need to be prepared and equipped. Thus far, I've seen two updates by the union that ask our members to "prepare for strike". Well, it's the leadership that has to make preparation, duh. I'm growing uncomfortable with waiting on the leadership as it appears to me that the leadership is wanting ignorance so it can use a strike vote to build fear and get its agenda passed. Whatever one's view are on striking, imo, the politics and having Obama in office, along with the merger and the fact that our NC isn't asking for much at all [I wish they asked for more scope], should make this a very successful strike. But it won't possibly be successful and it won't even happen if there is a poor strike vote due to ignorance. The union has the funds to campaign and be build the necessary support within the membership to have a great strike vote. The message has to be clear, YES WE CAN. YES WE WILL. Not this pusssy crap that the IAM did over at UAL. I won't tolerate this lazy arse eboard doing the same pusssy arsse thing over here. CB, Prez, don't even think that you are going to just toss a strike ballot at someone with little to no education attached to it like the shittty job your boys did at UA. DO YOUR F JOB and build the necessary support needed to have a successful strike vote.
The membership must know the proposals and what they are striking for. They must know that even after a cooling off that it is the union that decides when to go on strike and that it necessarily isn't at midnight. They must know what happens after a cooling off, they must know if the TWU American workers can touch our bags if our members strike, they must know that we have the support of the stews and other IAM members [not sure if CWA/IBT has the same clause??], they must know a lot of things. Don't just keep your fingers up your collective arses thinking that you have to have strike preparedness teams [which you do] and that's it. Knowledge is power. Don't keep folks ignorant to get a ta agenda passed that is not worthy. You guys have been all talk and showed that you didn't have any stones to stand up to Delaney with the anti union UA contract, don't think you will get away with it here. And you guys better have asked for more scope. If not, then you are absolute morons. Don't come back with no BS that you will get scope in the transition talks, those talks will be more difficult since there are no self help measures.
