Looking at the last bid award; about 314 are eligible to flow, I estimate about 310 will take the flow (if it gets to them before they get calls from WN, FX, EK, AS, B6 etc.)
The award shows a total of 424 pilots. The union (or was it the company) has estimated we need ~450 pilots (440 seems more realistic).

The speculation: matters little, it is likely a company carrot to speed ALPA negotiations. Don't worry, everyone I've flown with sees right through it, and our contract negotiations can only (contractually) last about a year anyway.