The MTA is a transition agreement that gets us to a JCBA. Then the JCBA will be in effect. The only thing that had ties to an 18 month countdown was certain protections contained in paragraph 8 of the MOU. The no furlough clause is NOT one of those protections.

And it was 18 months after SOC OR a JCBA and SLI become effective, whichever is earlier. While it's possible a SLI will not be reached before the 18 month limit, I honestly believe it will. The mediation begins in less than a week. A lot will become known after that process runs its course.