Seems like any talk of the Unions future positions would be best looked at by the recent past.

The Pilots agreed to "serious" cuts, not only to save their jobs but the value of their stock if UA could stay out of bankr.

The FA agreed to "serious" cuts, they do not have the stock, but to keep their jobs.

Apparently the mechanics are represented in more that one group. At least one voted for cuts for the same reason as the pilots. As to the other group, they just received a raise early in 2002, causing major business losses to UA in the negotiations. They too, are material stockholders. Seems like they play chicken until death does them out. The value of their shares is gone. The outcome of their pay status will be greatly reduced, or they will no longer have a job. If they think that it will be easy to get a job at there pay level elsewhere, then the drugs they are taking should exclude them from employment anyway.

That's how I see it, but then I am an airline user, not employee.