After speaking with one of the negotiators for the IAM, representing the CSAs and Res Agents among others (COPS contract), I'd asked what his thoughts were on the arbitration award, knowing they're going into openers with the company in April.

He said, "I don't see what the fuss is about; it's a fair deal. We were prepared to go into negotiations asking for the average of the Big Four, minus 5%, because we know we can't ask the company for industry-best pay - it's just not feasible."

So if a union negotiator understands why coming in under the Big Four is a reasonable ask, why is this deal somehow unfair? I'd like to hear some well thought-out reasons.