Unfortunately, that is, in essence, what happened.
The MEC did authorize the MC to resume talks on a more casual basis, but the "starting point" of the negotiations was misunderstood. . . . MEC believed they were authorizing them to start from point previous to GK's proposal, MC understood begin from GK proposal.
Hence the misfire (AIP). It was basically a miscommunication, not rogue negotiators, nor were they chloroformed.
AirTran pilots are not the enemy. ALPA is not the antichrist, and SWAPA is certainly no angel. Both pilot groups need to remember that they're going to have to work together (regardless of some SWA pilots' fantasies).