From the standpoint of nothing being in place, I would agree that it could take two years to get a local up and running.
AtlasforTeamsters has put together the structure to permit the group(s) to hit the ground running greatly reducing the time frame after the vote.
8 months is EXTREMELY realistic given the foundation that has already been put into place. I would be very surprised to see the Atlas Local take more than 12 months to be fully operational, funded and staffed.
After the 19th I would hope some of the folks at Polar step up and become party to the transition. The current MEC's will only be advisory in nature (no official role or position), point is those who choose to join in and participate in the committees and as subject matter experts will be the ones with the ability to shape this Local moving forward.
DBW