Many, if not most, airlines utilize the services of
Ford & Harrison when negotiating with their labor groups. And F&H has one hell of a reputation in management circles for their success in "dealing" with labor issues.
Pilots sitting across the table from F&H specialists is like the Taliban engaging in a firefight with Recon Marines - it ain't gonna be pretty for one side.
It costs money,
big money, to bring in representation like this...