Q: I hear many L-AS FAs voicing skepticism about this merger TA primarily due to the extension of our current contract and the lack of resolution on our current open time agreement. What is the status of our new open time agreement? Perhaps some more information as to why the JNC and the Company agreed on a 2 year extension to the current agreement.
A: The JNC believes it is understandable L-AS FAs are frustrated about the lack of resolution regarding Open Time. Be assured that the MEC and the Negotiating Committee are equally as frustrated about the situation, and they have not forgotten about it. Open Time is a ‘meaty’ enough topic in its own right that the MEC will prepare a standalone communication to address the issue shortly. The duration of the mid-term JCBA was addressed in the JNC blog post “Negotiations: Why a Midterm JCBA? [misc]” and also in “Merger Negotiations Background” under “Bargaining Rationale.”
