Hmmm, you guys have a negotiating team consisting only of pilots and no professional negotiator? That's hard to believe. There are many good attorneys out there who specialize in aviation and/or negotiation. It behooves your pilot group to get the best on your side of the table, because Fred certainly also has the best that his money can buy on his side. Without one of your own, you are going into negotiation already handicapped.
I cannot emphasize how important and valuable this is. I was asked to facilitate (ok, that's a bit different than contract negotiation, but the point is the same) a meeting at a state agency known to never accomplish anything because meetings break down or otherwise bog down. We had a set of goals and a timeline. With my help, we met those goals and beat the timeline.
True, there is a lot of lingo and concepts that are difficult to understand, but that's why some attorneys are paid the big bucks. This guy is now working for you and you tell him what you want.
Just my two cents.