Based on the negotiations history of this company...I think our leaders are delusional if they really believe we are going to succeed in obtaining a contract without going through the mediation process. The longer we wait to file for mediation, is just that much longer we will wait for a new CBA. Just like management prefers.

Remember all the propaganda about how the NMB would look so favorably on our interim talks program, if/when it came time to file for mediation? Well, I would argue that 3+ years of direct negotiations should suffice.

We need to move closer to self help. Let's move on to the next stage, mediation, per the RLA.