You really don't know much about unions, do you? It was Airtran ALPA's job to fight for Airtran pilots, and SWAPA's job to fight for Southwest pilots. I'd bet even PCL and Lear will agree with that. During your merger, at any point did Delta's MEC tell management, "no, you're not giving enough to the other guys; we want you to increase it."? Did they, General? No, of course they didn't. Does that mean that Delta's union failed by not "sticking up" for the Northwest side? That's not how negotiations work.
By the way, it didn't get to arbitration because of management's desire. SWAPA was preparing for such an outcome. And as far as money goes, after the first offer was turned down by Airtran/ALPA's MEC, the company immediately rescinded it, saying that it never should have been offered in the first place, due to its cost. The way Airtran did business (hub & spoke, their pilot efficiency, etc) made it untenable to pay them SWAPA wages in management's eyes. Hell, if stand-alone Airtran couldn't afford to pay its pilots SWAPA wages, why do you think that Southwest management could afford to pay the same SWAPA wages into the same Airtran system? As the pilots transistion to Southwest, with our system and its efficiencies, then they'll get paid SWAPA wages.
As far as ill will goes, there's some of that in every single merger/acquisition in the history of the airlines. Including your beloved Delta. I've heard former NWA guys bitch, as well as United & Continental guys. There's absolutely no way to make everyone one involved in a merger happy. However, comparing any other merger to USAir/AWA is a gross distortion calculated as part of your constant and predictable mud-slinging.
Like I said, it appears you don't know much about how unions operate. It's pretty obvious, however, that you don't know diddly dick about this situation in particular.
Bubba