Barberpole,
Barberpole said: "Unfortunately for the east our MEC passed a resolution stating that under no circumstances will the award be altered in any manner by West pilots through the negotiating process. You are not going to get a thing from us."
USA320Pilot comments: That's fine and something the East pilot group would endorse. Without a consensual seniority integration agreement between the two pilot groups there will not be a joint contract. The majority of the East pilots are willing to accept that.
Why? Per the Transition Agreement the East keeps all of its current flying, its attrition, its Crew bases, all of the EMB-190s, etc. The East pilot group would still get meaningful pay raises, significant recalls (386 pilots through the July 1 permanent bid so far in 2007), improved quality of life, and growth up the seniority list.
Also noteworthy, East First Officers would become Captains, East Reserves would become Blockholders, East Narrowbody pilots would become Widebody pilots, and East pilots would get the majority of the European expansion - all providing meaningful pay raises.
Furthermore, the East pilots could encourage the company to "whip saw" the West pilots.
What do the West pilots get? Nothing, but about 50 retirements per year, no growth, no pay raises (unless there is Section VI negotiation/new AWA pilot CBA), and if there is a Section VI negotiation strike - many, many East pilots have said they would likely fly right through it.
😱
The company has said over-and-over it is more than willing to operate the two companies separate and the East pilots are too.
Therefore, lets just stay status quo. Is that o.k. with you?
Regards,
USA320Pilot