The group can't be united.
What must be accepted is the fact that there is a vocal minority among the senior 20% of pilots who actually want to preserve the status quo. They would like a rapid settlement so that they can receive a raise--any raise--while maintaining low health care costs.
Nat work rule improvements--benefitting the other 20% of the pilot group--are of no interest to them. Why would they when they can hit 90h of pay with 18 days off? Any trip rig, min day pay, additional days off for reserves, etc. would only cause the airline to shift the "weight" of the schedule throughout the pilot group. This means senior pilots will have fewer days off to achieve the same total monthly credit.
Make no mistake kids, this is what the issue is, was, and always will be. Any workrule improvements will come at the expense of very senior pilots' days off. This is what they are fighting. This is why they threaten. This is why they tell you the airline will fold up and go away if you get what you want in negotiations.
God forbid the Memphis Mafia have one less day a month on their bass boats on Lake Sardis. But you, you can enjoy being extended for another 8 day off month of ready reserve for nothing more than guarantee.
After all, if you don't like it you can HOLDSHORT.
It is also important to understand that most of the vocal top 20% wants to avoid a release at all cost. They do NOT want to be released. As much as they want a new contract, they want to protect their gravy train even more. They don't want to take any chances, regardless of how bad a contract is for the rest of us. That is why some former Mem union insiders intentionally ruined our chance at release before TA1.