Originally Posted by mercpc9
I guess your crack MEC and Robin Hair (Neg Committee Chair) didn't tell you that they rejected a deal with Cato that would have furloughed rather than fired the engineers. I don't know the full details of the deal and the drawbacks, but I am aware of it through ALPA National.
Maybe you should be asking them some pointed questions. Try to do it in front of someone that can verify what they are saying though.
Merc, I think for once they were told the truth by the MEC. The FEs decided not to take the furlough and it makes sense, they will never come back. Might as well try to fight for severence pay, whatever it is, better than going away with nothing. And if they get NOTHING then they will be in the same position as if they had taken the furlough, out for good... Can't blame them for that.
The good side of what is happening to them right now though is that there are quite a few openings for them. A few have already found jobs and many have interviews coming up. I don't know if there will be as many openings left for FEs when AAWH decides to park the remaining classics... In a way it might be a blessing. Time will tell... (BTW, 2 of my Atlas buds have already sent me their CVs to try to beat the rush)