The seat lock is properly termed an "aircraft freeze." If pile its were told in Jan that it would not be waived, then that is both a total reversal of a repeated position from Nov. and also news to anyone I know. The union has not stated such. This bid just now has permitted another 20-30 recently trained E190 pile its to leave the aircraft.
Summary - I call BS
The pilots told the "aircraft freeze" would not be waived were new hires. I believe this would still be in-line with what the company has told us since they were speaking to recalled pilots. It makes a difference in my opinion to not freeze recalled pilots in the 190 since group 2 pay is a pay increase. However, first year pay on the 190 is actually higher than group 2 so freezing a new hire on the 190 while putting someone junior to him on a group 2 actually does him or her no monetary harm.