Correct. But UAL would have to approve the release of information. For a company to publically release FFD flying before a contract is signed never happens. At least I can never recall it happening and I've been around this industry... a few years.
My guess is that UAL is concerned about their 50 seat flying and this may have driven their decision making with XJT as we are their largest 50 seat feeder. No 50 seaters flying=big jets flying with fewer pax. As UAL painfully learned during the SAR episode, really big jets flying empty are a big hit on the bottom line.
Since this information has been released by management and the union, I assume they are not breaking any NDA's, which means it's a UAL approved message as if it were not approved by UAL releasing the information would sink any chance XJT ever had of getting the -175's. This means there is probably a signed contract already with a cost basis and a time frame, thus the push to get a TA with the pilots. Yesterday.