Leverage lies with the negotiating party that is most satisfied with the status quo. I think this is a rare case, especially in aviation, where both sides won’t be satisfied with status quo. Both sides have a lot to lose with this dragging out, not to mention Delta has now given us a mediated benchmark.
Everything you hear from both union and company is just the messaging that both sides want and need you to hear. Both sides manipulate the story how they want, it’s part of negotiation. Take out the current emotion, take out past hurt feelings and grievances. This is just business, on both sides. Business tells mean AIP or very close by end of April.