Hi UA folks,
I'm a U ramp rat and have never posted on your board. I have been through the deal y'all are talking about - you're posts here read like the U board a few months ago. If I may, a few points.
We face three problems - revenue, political climate, management intentions.
1. Revenue - War talk jumped fuel prices and passengers are cancelling by the thousands. Everybody is sweating for the economy to recover quickly, but it doesn't look good now.
2. Politics - We're getting what you'd expect from a Republican administation - a very pro-management stance. The ATSB loans are predicated on labor taking major hits - no hits, no loans. Witness the de-unionization of Justice Department employees, and the demand for the same at the new Homeland Security Agency. The White House signalled, well before the West Coast dock strikes, they would replace workers with the National Guard, if needed. That makes it hard for the union to negotiate, and all they're asking is as jobs become obsolete by technology, the jobs created by that technology be union. Now, management knows the Senate is up for grabs, and the House is no sure thing for either party. They are going to make hay, between now and the Nov. elections.
3. Intentions - Siegel has plowed the field for BK manuevering, and I can tell you first-hand, BK is a very ugly and lethal weapon. AVOID IT AT ALL COSTS!! We at U did not have any room to manuever, and got taken full advantage of. The worst for fleet and customer service is yet to come.
In closing, I know the top District 141/141M and grand lodge guys know full well the ramifications of BK, and will work to avoid it. I also know some of the IAM brass pisses you off - me, too. To get a good handle on the facts, get past them to the economic advisers and Bk attorneys - they are top-flight. Also, in BK, the judge will not alter any contracts - he will uphold or abrogate; those are his only two options. You don't want to play chicken here. Thankfully, you have better options than U did; take advantage of them. Does this deal suck, and is management screwing us/taking advantage of 9/11? Yes, but I don't see how to get out of it.
Best of luck to you all, and thank God we didn't merge - code share is all the fun I can handle.