"burn it down" and "max pay to the last day" are fun and exciting things to say for a battle cry. This contract will not "make or break your company." They just asked and you said yes. Add a sprinkle of fear to the mix and you get another cost saving measure. I just think you shot yourself in the foot. It didn't have to be this bad. You all could have made some demands instead. oh well. BTW, I have "been in your situation."