AWA320, Cactus, Junebug,
I guarantee you that John McIlvenna and the AWA MEC is under estimating the resolve of the majority of the East pilot's. And, what the AWA pilots need to understand is that they are not in control. In fact, I believe the AWA MEC's bellicose language has driven you right out of the process.
No one on the EC is taking the AWA MEC and pilot group seriously. And, why should they? You continue to thumb your noses at the EC, the Rice Committee, and Herndon's resolutons. Do you really believe that is a good move or one the EC respects?
Moreover, I believe it is important to note that as long as John McIlvenna and the AWA MEC continue to insult the East MEC, lie and demagogue, the US Airways piots will continue to hold the high road with ALPA International, and presenting the Nicolau Award becomes less and less of a possibility every day.
Finally, the EC and Rice Committee desire to find a realistic solution. Because the majority of the East pilots would prefer to live under LOA 93, if necessary, to prevent the Nicolau Award from being implemented, and there is nothing that can be done to stop this, then for those parties desiring contract improvements they need to help find a realistic solutions to the problems.
For the East and West pilots who desire to have contract improvements I believe the first point that needs to be recognized is that the East MEC and the majority of East pilots will not agree to a joint contract if it means the Nicolau Award will be implemented. With this fact understood then the parties can look at realistic solutions, which could be:
- A spearate contract with separate operations that have shared growth (e.g. A340s, trans pacific service, EMB-190s, etc.) and shared scope protections,
- Or a joint contract with separate operations that have shared growth (e.g. A340s, trans pacific service, EMB-190s, etc.) and shared scope protections,
- Or if the AWA pilots desire Section 6 negotiations and the East pilots obtaining a LOA for "equal pay for equal work".
I believe these solutions are better than the internal fighting and turmoil that currently exists, which could last for a decade if a realsitic solution is not obtained.
Also noteworthy, if the Nicolau Award is passed on to the company I believe not only would there not be a joint contract to prevent its implementation, but the East ALPA decertification effort would happen. This would create significant turmoil because as AWA MEC Tania Bziukiewicz indicated an East ALPA decertification would delay the joint contract process by "at least two years." In my opinion, the decertification would delay a new contract even longer.
Therefore, for those pilots who desire a pay raise ASAP I believe the best option is to find a negotiated settlement that prevents the Nicolau Award from being implemented that creates a new contract with separate operations that have shared growth (e.g. A340s, trans pacific service, EMB-190s, etc.) and shared scope protections.
Regards,
USA320Pilot