There is most definitely a "B" team in management. The B team does not control the purse of the company. They work for the A team but really don't have the final say on anything. Our company tends to use the B team as the bad cop in negotiations. When moral of the common worker.. i.e. the pilot, finally deteriorates to a significant level, the B team negotiators make way for an A team negotiator to ride in on a white horse and settle up the contract.