Free Mason said the company will demand a longer contract as a bad thing. I know in 2012 the three year deal was sold as a good thing. Can someone explain why that is so? To me a longer contract would be better.

If you can get 3% or better for along time and not take any concessions to get it. I'll take 15, 4,4,4,4 . . . With no concessions for years and most likely come out way ahead in the long run.