Most airlines are cutting costs through unpaid leave, pay reduction and layoffs. This is just the beginning of the curve.
The majority of those offered the new contracts signed up. The new terms and pay as I read it in the article would be uncompetitive in normal times. But these are not normal times. The fat rats on Wall Street has screwed us and the rest of the world.
My advice friends is to stay employed and work through this period. The economy has not bottomed out and it is going to get tougher before it gets better.
Best wishes and hope that the 9 will find employment quickly.