Ref Carl's question:
I have no doubt that our LEC reps gave direction for TA2012 during the "direction phase." The real question is: What is a rep to do when faced with an already signed TA that does not comport with the direction you gave? What is a rep to do when told by the negotiators that "you're not going to like the company's plan B?"
I would think that rep would vote it down, unless they made a call that their directions were negotiable. Either they were 100% firm, and the rep has to vote the TA down, or they're not, and the rep can use their discretion.
If you send in your attorney to negotiate a settlement along a set of parameters, you know it's within the realm of possibilities he'll come back with the "best he could get", even if below your bottom line.
Conversely, if you're the attorney, and you don't get a deal at your bottom line, but the other party offers something else, I would imagine it's your duty to pass it on to your client for a decision.
It's up to the client to determine what is acceptable or not. The line between an egregious failure, and a an honest attempt to represent, would be super fine, at that point. As long as the customer gets to make the call, it's probably OK.