As for the whole "junior manning" argument. Why would outstation lifers care? All their trips end at 0020 in base, what could they possibly "junior man" them to?

That being said, junior manning sucks. I had it at my last airline. But "negotiating" involves just what that word means. Negotiating is not a list of demands. Give some, take some. Junior manning is not a deal breaker if the rest of the alleged TA contains significant improvements.