I don't have my contract handy (it's in a box somewhere), but I don't think the contract specifically says "Pinnacle Airlines CORP", I'm pretty sure it says "Pinnacle Airlines", no "Corp" in the wording of the opening page, scope section, or signing page.
That means it's open to legal debate,,, which several of us have been waiting for a long time, knowing good 'ole Uncle Phil was just SO committed to "simply the best".
Kaman, I don't think he meant it as strong-arm tactics, just letting you know it could get very ugly very quickly.
He's also correct in that ALPA legal is probably moving quickly to file paperwork with the company that they consider Colgan now "technically" as a part of Pinnacle Airlines, and therefore the Colgan pilots (and they're flying) should automatically become members of the PCL ALPA.
Not trying to post flamebait, I simply know how ALPA works and I'm 100% certain the push for an integration of the Colgan pilots will come sooner rather than later.
How PT responds will be your BIGGEST indication of whether the company intends to use this to circumvent PCL Scope.
If PT and company say, "Sure, they're absolutely Pinnacle pilots and we'll get the ball rolling on seniority integration, etc ASAP", then I'll be glad to say I was wrong and that maybe Corporate isn't the den of thieves I've always believed them to be.
However, if PCL management says, "Nope, we're maintaining it completely separate, it's not Pinnacle Airlines, it's Colgan and staying Colgan", then we know what's coming next.
Don't worry about the whole SCAB thing, this has a LONG way to go and I'm certain if PT and group take option "B" above, members of the PCL MEC will approach your pilot group openly and in a completely non-threatening manner and try to start an organization drive.
Seriously, I know EVERY SINGLE MEC member very well, and I can tell you NO ONE will try to strong-arm you, other than SR and maybe one other that will be out-voted by the majority of great guys on the MEC.
Good luck to everyone there!