Early reports from today's Special MEC Meeting are revealing quite a story.
[As you know from previous updates, the MEC voted 8 (CLT, BWI, DCA, PHL) to 4 (PIT, BOS) last Friday to send the Interim Small Jet Agreement (LOA #79) to the pilots with a recommendation for ratification].
During the last day or two, it seems that MEC Chairman Chris Beebe was able to work on Managment and shake them loose of 6,000 more aircraft block hours for the Minimum Growth Commitment found in the Interim Small Jet Agreement (LOA #79). In return for the 6,000 hours, Management requested that the MEC maintain its recommendation for ratification of the Agreement.
Here was the simple deal.... if a majority of the MEC agreed to continue with the recommendation for ratification, the Minimum Growth Commitment would get 6,000 more aircraft block hours in year 2002. Without a recommendation for ratification, the Agreement would stand as is.
This morning, Captain Beebe advised the MEC of what he was able to obtain and the debate began.
Long story short.... It appears that 7 members of the MEC were more willing to pass on 6,000 aircraft block hours than allow this Agreement to go the pilots with a recommendation for ratification:
And 5 members wanted to stay with with the recommendation for ratification and take the 6,000 block hours in year 2002:
Several attempts were made by the minority to stay the course, maintain the recommendation for ratification and take the 6,000 aircraft block hours. The attempts were out voted each time by the seven member majority.
At the end of the day, arguments of the minority could not prevail over the wishes of the majority. The Interim Small Jet Agreement (LOA #79) will be sent to the pilots for ratification with no recommendation, and no additional 6,000 aircraft block hours.
The Negotiating Committee has published a preliminary road show schedule as follows. Please check the ALPA code-a-phone to be sure these locations, dates and times are not changed:
3/9 CLT Embassy Suites 11:00
3/10 SAN Sheraton Hotel 13:00
3/14 PHL Airport Marriott 13:00
3/15 BOS Airport Hilton 13:00
3/16 PIT Royce 10:00
3/21 BWI Airport Marriott 09:30
3/21 DCA Days Inn Crystal City 15:00
3/22 LGA Airport Marriott 11:00
3/28 DFW Courtyard Marriott Airport 11:00
3/29 MCO Renaissance Orlando Hotel Airport 11:00