National Mediation Board ethics violation? (DUers name witheld to protect from retaliation)

[Omaha Steve]

Former members of the negotiating committee for the Allied Pilots Association are wondering how the pilots for American Airlines are to get a fair contract after they were witness to the NMB (National Mediation Board) assigned mediator to the case walking into a restaurant in Grapevine, Texas with a major player of American Airlines negotiating consultant team. The Pilots of American Airlines are bound by the antiquated Railway Labor Act, which strongly tilts negotiations in management's favor because their contracts do not “expire”, they simply become “amendable”. As a result, management is always rewarded by dragging out negotiations as long as possible. Furthermore, legal self-help is only allowed under certain conditions and upon release by the NMB Mediator, the same man who is named below in the eyewitness account.

Andrew Engelke, stated “This evening I met at Tolbert's Restaurant in my town of Grapevine,TX with members of the former negotiating committee (2007-2009). We were eating and drinking when NMB Mediator, Mike Tosi, walked in with AMR Negotiating Committee Member, Bob Christy. is a former member of ALPA's E&FA (Economic and Financial Analysis Committee) the equivalent of our TASC. He is now a consultant who attends all negotiating sessions. I looked at both of them and said (loudly) Oh, Shit! Christy scurried to the back of the restaurant. Tosi made small talk with us and tried to buy us a round-which we refused..”

[Scuba]

1. Should have taken a picture...that's what cell phones are for.