Was united involved in merger talks in April 2006? Yes.
AGENDA ITEM NO.
UAL-MEC Merger Committee Report
April 2006 UAL-MEC Meeting
It seems that one of the most common questions we receive from the line pilot is who
exactly is on the UAL-MEC Merger Committee. We assume that the average pilot who
asks this question wants to make certain that one particular seniority group is not “overrepresented”
or “under-represented” on our committee. As you can see from the
volunteers listed below on our committee, we have an excellent cross-section of the
United pilots’ seniority list.
Chairman David A. Smith
B-767 / 757 Captain DENFO
Seniority Number 882
Hire Date – April 4, 1985
Member Brian Graver
A-320 F/O SFOFO
Seniority Number 6174
Hire Date – September 8, 1997
Alternate Member Garth Thompson
B-767 / 757 F/O DENFO
Seniority Number 3902
Hire Date – January 18, 1993
The budget for the UAL-MEC Merger Committee that you approved at the January 2006
regular UAL-MEC meeting in Chicago for the budget year 2006 was $15,000. In 2005,
the budget was $5,000. Obviously if there is merger activity on this property, an
assessment of our pilot group is likely and most of our expenses will come out of that
assessment. In the interim, it is assumed that due to the public comments of United
Airline’s Chief Executive Officer, that industry consolidation is a likely outcome of the
“problems” of the legacy carriers. Thus the reason for the increase in budget for our
committee. Thank you for that!
We will be distributing an in-depth document concerning mergers to the MEC at the
April 2006 meeting in Chicago. This document attempts to explain how mergers are
addressed by our collective bargaining agreement, ALPA merger and fragmentation
policy and the UAL-MEC policy manual. Also at the MEC meeting, there will be a
comprehensive presentation by Mr. Dan Akins concerning the future of industry
consolidation. Your MEC Merger Committee will make a presentation after Mr. Akins on
Wednesday going over the extensive merger document you will be receiving at the
meeting.
It is our intention, with your direction, to provide a greatly condensed version of the
document you receive for the United pilots. It is important that this committee and the
MEC remain fully engaged with our pilots concerning the potential of mergers and that
we all stay out in front of this issue.
Your UAL-MEC Merger Committee fully understands the significant responsibility we
have concerning protecting the future of our pilot group. As you already know, the
UAL-MEC policy manual states that we should, “rigorously pursue an equitable seniority
integration in accordance with ALPA International Merger Policy, with particular
emphasis on protecting the seniority, career expectations, and quality of life of all UAL
pilots”. Pretty straightforward.
As always, our committee thanks you for your support and encourages your questions.
Fraternally,
UAL-MEC Merger Committee
David Smith Brian Graver Garth Thompson
Chairman Member Alternate Member