Last October, when federal mediation began, NMB Mediator Gerry McGuckin asked both parties not to negotiate in public, particularly not to publish details of various proposals swapped across the table.

ALPA has complied, to the point that United and Continental pilots don't know very much about the union's opener and subsequent counter-proposals. Last week, the company published its opener -- what amounts to a cost-neutral contact that pays for salary increases with concessions in scope, vacations, and other areas -- on the company "negotiations" web site.

United Airlines Negotiations

The pilot section included a downloadable .pdf document of the Company's opener. Go to the bottom of this page and click on the link: "To read the company's proposal, click here."

http://www.unitednegotiations.com/em...date-20110624/