A few folks at F9 have been buried in labor issues for a number of years now. We are attempting to resurrect our in-house union from the dead after being raided by the IBT.
I am wondering out loud if we can, at a later date, create an LCC union with three or four Local unions. It would be a Joint Council of sorts, with one main legislative body from three for four LCC airbus operators. Each separate airline would maintain their own Local for the purposes of negotiating, collection of dues, CBA administration but the JC would have a Constitution including among other things a merger policy.
Why would this be beneficial? I think LCC consolidation is a given. Why not have an approved merger procedure and avoid the great unknown of SLI arbitration. I am sure Eischen and Nicolau and Bloch could use another $300-$500K at our expense but why not make an attempt to control the process?
Meanwhile, you keep your dues in-house and attempt to establish an industry wide, LCC narrow body benefit package.
Joint Council with reps from say...F9,Spirit,JB and Virgin. We could get JB and Virgin without a showing of interest, just a write-in. That may compel Spirit to join, who knows.