Let’s focus on the company’s request for a Declaratory Judgment. They are asking the court to make one of four declarations as detailed below.
Number 1 would seem to be an attempt to achieve that which was sought by DFR-I. This issue is no riper today than it was when the 9th ruled that it was not. It could be reasonably argued that it is less ripe today, now that the SCOTUS has upheld the Court of Appeals in that matter. What are the chances of Judge Silver countermanding the SCOTUS?
Number 2 would open up a “can of worms” that Judge Silver would no doubt be loath to do. Furthermore and more importantly to the West pilots, it would essentially be denying the ability to even file a DFR-II, as it seeks to have the court “declare” that a non-NIC JCBA “would not constitute a breach of USAPA’s duty of fair representation to the West Pilots”. What are the chances that Judge Silver would be willing to abrogate the rights of DFR-II proponents to pursue a ripe claim?
Number 3 is nothing more than an attempt by the company to “cover their asses” for any liability to all of the defendants in this filing, which could even remotely arise if they were to do something illegal. What are the chances of Judge Silver issuing blanket immunity to the company?
Number 4 is an invitation to Judge Silver to get creative and unilaterally pull something out from under her robes to throw into the fray. What are the chances that Judge Silver would grab that “tar baby”?
seajay
"PRAYER FOR RELIEF
US Airways prays for judgment against the Named Addington Pilots, the West
Pilot Class, and USAPA as follows:
1. For a declaration that: (a) USAPA is currently violating its duty under Section 2, First, of the Railway Labor Act “to exert every reasonable effort to make and maintain agreements concerning rates of pay, rules, and working conditions” by its continued insistence in current collective bargaining negotiations upon an integrated seniority list other than as reflected in the Nicolau Award, and entry into a collective bargaining agreement between US Airways and USAPA which does not incorporate the Nicolau Award would constitute a breach of USAPA’s duty of fair representation to the West Pilots in violation of the Railway Labor Act, and therefore US Airways is prohibited from accepting or implementing a non-Nicolau seniority list; or
2. In the alternative, for a declaration that: (a) entry into a collective bargaining agreement between US Airways and USAPA which does not incorporate the Nicolau Award would not constitute a breach of USAPA’s duty of fair representation to the West Pilots in violation of the Railway Labor Act; and USAPA would therefore not violate its duty under Section 2, First, of the Railway Labor Act “to exert every reasonable effort to make and maintain agreements concerning rates of pay, rules, and working conditions” if it continues to demand that US Airways agree to an integrated seniority list other than as reflected in the Nicolau Award, and therefore US Airways is not prohibited from accepting or implementing a non-Nicolau seniority list; or
3. In the alternative, for a declaration that, regardless of whether it would constitute a breach of USAPA’s duty of fair representation to the West Pilots or otherwise violate the Railway Labor Act for USAPA to insist upon or enter into a collective bargaining agreement that does not incorporate the Nicolau Award, US Airways would not be liable under the Railway Labor Act or otherwise if it were to enter into such a collective bargaining agreement; and
4. For such other, further, and/or different relief as the Court may deem just and proper."