That's the point about using industry comparables. If the current cost or future costs are on par or exceed the total value of the CBA's in order airlines, then they will seek cost neutral agreements. If we are below, they will reach others and even pass then by a certain percentage.
With a mediator, they will push towards getting a deal done, but it doesn't necessarily have to be the best in the industry or meet any of our stated requirements. As long as the Company makes an effort to meet the current industry comparables, the push will be for the union to make up the difference in the areas of disagreement or modify something somewhere else.
Therefore, having a Mediator involved seems to indicate there has been little movement in position and someone was needed to infuse a different perspective. That doesn't bode well for a quick resolution if we stick to our guns. If a deal is a goal, then it seems the union side would need to make the movement to make that happen sooner rather than later.
I doubt that would happen willingly, therefore get a comfy seat, we might be here for a while.