Okay, let’s assume for a minute this is being done with purely nefarious intent. (Malice & coercion are some words that have been used, which if an accelerated pay raise is coercion, coerce away; but I digress…) What are our options? We keep the pressure on, demand a fair contract, and don’t accept anything less.

And if this is entirely magnanimous, what then? Keep the pressure on, demand a fair contract, and don’t accept anything less.

Frankly, I’m much more concerned about outcomes than intentions. (I’d rather have a top-tier contract given begrudgingly than a TUMI bag given with all the heartfelt gratitude & appreciation in the world.) If this results in a lesser contract, it will be because we accepted a lesser contract, in which case, we’ll have ourselves to blame. For my part, I’ll be picketing & demanding accountability from my reps while I fill the stockings a little fuller. Regardless of what you feel management’s intentions are, I’d recommend everyone do the same.