I'm sticking my neck out. We have an option that has been presenting to West over the forum before. And it requires the representing union IAM to go ahead and negotiate for West while the COC is going with East. We, collectively, as West, will have to urge our representation to address this. Apparently, after asking, I was told that the company whould not want to while arbitration is on going. But, since we, West have an active contract under the TWU; They, the IAM, would have to exert their authority in our behalf even while the Sept. arbitration goes forward. We will see what our leaders of our union propose. But, I have been asking any lawyer to clarify our rights on the West vs the efforts IAM have afforded the East.
Further more, I have requested Bill Chandlee to clarify if West is to be 100% equalized going into this decision of the arbitrator. There is no reply. I'm not sure anyone in the IAM fully knows how both sides are represented. Otherwise it would be very clear to this point.
