SoCalGuy

August 31, 2012

Fellow Pilots:

I am sending this note to you to give you an update on the JCBA process and to dispel the false information seemingly designed to advance internal union political aspirations that you may have been seeing in recent days. Unlike others who have commented inaccurately on the status of the process, I am actually there working with the negotiating committees, experts and lawyers from both sides, and can speak to you with direct knowledge of the facts. I also have the benefit of past experience with negotiations and am well aware of the frustrated anticipation this phase of the process creates; it has in every negotiation in which I have participated.

From my experience working side by side with those laboring to complete the language of the JCBA, I can tell you that everyone – on both sides – is working hard to deliver the finished product to you. Are there issues that need resolution? Yes, there are always a few things that crop up when trying to convert term sheet agreements to language, as any experienced negotiator will tell you. Are they insolvable? No. Are they delaying the work in drafting language? Again, no.

So, why is it taking as long as it is to get the AIP to final language? First, the length of time involved is not outside the norm, as again experienced negotiators will attest. Second, there are key negotiators on both sides who are needed to complete language in multiple sections and as a result that language can't be worked simultaneously, but must be sequenced. Third, in most negotiations there is a base of existing contract language from which to work. That makes things a good deal easier than it is here, where the JCBA must be constructed from a combination and blending of two prior contracts along with entirely new provisions (and language) not from either one. Just to give one not so small example, the Scheduling sections alone contain more than a hundred pages of provisions that interweave old terms from two contracts and new language for agreements in principle that have absolutely no counterpart in either agreement.

While those working on finishing the language for a tentative agreement (and there are dozens of negotiators, experts and lawyers doing so on both sides) are all painfully aware of the need to accomplish our task as expeditiously as possible, we are also aware of the consequence of not taking as much time as needed to do the job right. You deserve good contract language and should demand nothing less. I sincerely hope and believe that when this is all concluded you agree that you are being presented with a final product that you can fairly evaluate, and upon which you can make a reasoned decision.

In short, we have an agreement in principle and all of those directly involved on both sides are working as hard and fast as they can to finish the TA language. I ask for your continued patience and ongoing commitment to making the new United the premier airline that we all know it can become.

Sincerely,

Fred Abbott
Senior Vice President, Flight Operations

cadetdrivr

Translation:

I have to write this because we got caught with our fingers in the cookie jar. Everything is OK.

p.s. Don't look behind the curtain.

Short Bus Drive

Where is the "LIKE" button?

Mwindaji

HEY FRED
FUPU

I like this better than FUPM. It sounds more like what my two year says and better describes how I feel about Fredy. He owes us, not just me!