That payraise is only for 120 days till the arbitrator decides who won. The question is which arbitrator.
The eagle contract was for 16 years with periodic challenges of up to 5 items by either side every 4 years before an arbitrator. Eagle lost every challenge, leaving a bad taste in everyone's mouth toward the concept of arbitration. Any arbitrator that has ever found in favor of the pilots has been run off.
The strike fund is a non issue. APA run's on cash flow, and dues just went up to support the negotiations. They can go up again (and still not be as high as ALPA's) and makeup the strike fund before the balloon goes up.
However, I do think that management has discovered that its a false economy to delay negotiations, despite what the Bean counters say. While the company saves millions just in interest on the salary (even if retro, which almost never happens, is paid it is NEVER with interest) the damage to the core customers which can't be directly seen on the balance sheet is irreperable.
We shall see. If it takes more than about 18 months to get a TA then I was definately wrong.
Cheers
Wino