If contract duration is the issue, then the negotiations should be about a specific date and not a duration, so that it is not in managements interest to delay the negotiations.
To take the emotion out of the negotiations, if management is saying that lower pay is due to the economy and/or Options' financial position, then the pilots should be given equity just as any other investor receives. This is simple, fair, and again removes managements incentive to screw the union and makes it a simple business decision for the company.
To take the emotion out of the negotiations, if management is saying that lower pay is due to the economy and/or Options' financial position, then the pilots should be given equity just as any other investor receives. This is simple, fair, and again removes managements incentive to screw the union and makes it a simple business decision for the company.