Originally Posted by nwa757

Mediator tells pilots, United to keep quiet - Houston Chronicle

Jerry Glass, president of labor and employment law consulting firm F&H Solutions Group, said voluntary or court-imposed gag orders are rare but not unprecedented in labor negotiations. He and others suggested the public silence may indicate that a deal is close - or at least that negotiations have reached a critical stage.

"Obviously they're in an important stage of negotiation and the mediator wants to ensure that there are as few outside distractions as possible," Glass said.

"When communication blackouts go into effect, it's because the parties are serious about trying to reach an agreement and they want to focus their sole attention on negotiations and nothing else," said Glass, a former executive vice president and chief human resources officer for U.S. Airways.