What a crock of BS.
First, I will gladly remind you that the AOL legal team and the West pilot group understand the concept of RIPENESS, full well. We believed the case ripe, and BTW so did 2 of 4 federal judges. The 9ths ruling that the case was not ripe is fully understandable, and much more a win for the West than the little lawyer would have his blind followers believe.
What the West takes away from the 9ths opinion is a twofold. First, by specifically not addressing merit, the 9th reattached the company to the future DFR, should a ratified contract (unquestiionably ripe) be attained. Hence the company's recent filing and the reason there is no way we will ever get to that ratified (unquestionably ripe) contract. Second, if we do ever see a DOH contract, there will be absolutely no statute of limitations arguement from Seham unless the West fails to file within 6 months of the effective date of the contract,(I do not think it will take 6 hours to get an injunction in place).
You can argue INTERNAL UNION AFFAIRS all you want, it is somewhat immaterial in our case. Moreover, I suggest you brush up on ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION and BINDING ARBITRATION. There is plenty more, but I am not about to give the little lawyer a heads up on what is coming usapa's way. But just for fun, why don't you ask your rep at the next opportunity why usapa is fighting the company's request for declaratory judgement. Then report back on this board and we will try to remove the wool from your eyes.