My guess is the recent rise in fuel costs have caused both parties to go to their respective corners and wait out matters.

Higher fuel gives the company even less incentive to hand out pay raises. And the MEC's don't want to negotiate as the company's financial situation is declining.

We probably has a window of opportunity this past fall but it has probably closed. Everyone will now wait out the events in the middle east and see how high sustained fuel prices affect the company and the economy.