I'm not going to go back and forth on this issue, but the company requested the IAM discuss and negotiate the outsourcing issue, but the union refused.
From a historical perspective, unions lose most of the grievances, therefore, the odds are stacked against the IAM in the upcoming arbitration.
Moreover, the company may decide to not enter into discussions with the IAM on the "Going Forward Plan" and simply outsource most of the work, which would make the IAM and its members views irrelevant. That's the risk for the IAM by not agreeing to cost effectively conduct aircraft overhaul in-house before the Arbitrator issues an Opinion and Award.
In my opinion, the company will negotiate new CBA's with ALPA, AFA, TWU, and the CWA first, then work with the IAM. If the IAM, all three contracts (Machinist, Utility, & FSA), do not reach an agreement, the company will accelerate the elimination of in-house overhaul.
The airline could dramatically lower unit costs over time by rejecting the Pittsburgh Maintenance facility, obtain 60 A320 family aircraft, accelerate the delivery of A330-200s, and order EMB-190 aircraft. This would lower distribution, pilot, and training costs; as well as CASM.
This situation will likely not effect me one way or another and the IAM and its members have a choice. Negotiate new CBA's or perish, while the airline survives.
It's your choice...
Regards,
USA320Pilot