King Kong,
Your post indicates that you believe the AOA leadership is taking a petty stand at the "possible expense" of the membership. This is not so, the AOA has invested much time and money in forums (internet, meetings, video conferencing, Family support groups) by which the membership and leadership communicate.
It is not a case of lift the ban and negotiate (I wish it was). The signposts from the company are clear; they do not wish to negotiate: they only wish to hear of the AOA's surrender. The company continue to demote those who displease them (not a good time to misread your roster or get the squits 2 hours before sign-on!). Probably the most visible signpost was the company's reluctance/failure to roster the AOA's negotiators for the recent, abbreviated, talks.
IMHO this dispute is now about the company ripping the teeth out of the AOA before the gobal picture changes (again) such as to allow the AOA to use its fangs.