From MEC
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Somebody who knows someone who heard it on "good authority" from somebody who knows a participant at the negotiating table has said that there will "definitely" be an announcement about negotiations today at 1300 MEM time on Friday, August 25 (that's today, and that time is past).

When rumors like that start enjoying a sense of credibility, it can evoke a penchant for sarcasm. But on reflection, it's natural isn't it, that with a paucity of specifics about negotiations for consumption, somebody is bound to fill in the blanks.

Here's something that will hopefully assuage some of the anxiety out there:

1. At this point our negotiators are very reticent about disclosing "progress" piecemeal. The disclosure of a section or portion of a section as "settled" essentially takes it off the table as potential leverage (negotiations 101).
2. Right now, negotiations could run through the weekend. Hotel room reservations have been extended a couple of days.
3. Taken by itself, item 2 might generate its own share of optimistic rumors. Be advised, we have been briefed that among the issues of scope, work rules, retirement and health care, among others, there still exist some big gaps although there has been significant progress. But reasons for true optimism could only really be found in the hearts and minds of senior corporate management and any portals into those environs remain closed to us.

If and when a TA emerges that warrants consideration, let it be a pleasant surprise. In the meantime please understand that there are tactical reasons that you are not reading a step-by-step account of the negotiations.

Thanks for your time.