Diadem wrote: ↑Mon Nov 12, 2018 8:39 pmBased on your own comments, there is not currently a seniority list available, and that you're waiting on Mr Kaplan to make a determination about the state of such a list; yet, in the quote above, you seem to be implying that the list is formalized and available to the MEC, and that they had to create the LOU to counter the dropping of Encore pilots. I think your reasoning is rather weak and specious, and that you're really reaching with this one. Since the contract is still in arbitration, there's no reason to assume that the list has already been set in stone; if the MECs make a unified proposal to WestJet management that they maintain the list, and management agrees, the arbitrator should accept that, seeing as every party wants the same outcome. The way I read it is that the two MECs are presenting a unified front by sending a formal LOU, and even though we have no idea what the comany's position is, they could very well accept it without argument. The fact that they issued an LOU is not, in itself, evidence that the list has been formalized.
Based on the above, it seems like you think WestJet won't accept the One List, and that you're basing all of your assumptions on that premise. I, for one, don't think management is stupid enough to antagonize hundreds of Encore pilots in order to appease a few OTS hires and stick it to the MEC based on pedantic readings of ALPA bylaws.
I think you are right, and I was reaching. My apologies, I am not a lawyer. I was only the recipient of a merged seniority list position once before, and I have witnessed from a distance the legal nun fights that can follow mergers. Make no mistake, as “The Prince of Heavy Darkness” told me at Royal Airlines, “John, sometimes it comes down to one single number. You will love that number and you will hate that number.” He sat as next to upgrade FO for 7 years (IIRC) at Quebecair because of that number.
We need to get this negotiation right on the first try. Meaning, an unassailable decision, in agreement with ALPA rules. Obviously, as my colleague H. wrote on the ALPA forum, generally speaking, all WJ pilots need to know ALPA policy, as it is apparently a change from what we were used to. Lack of that knowledge may have been the straw on the camel’s back that took down the MEC Chairman.
I’m not sure if that answered your post, diadem, but it’s hot here and I’m behind in my German homework.