Back in the early 90's, there was a "Big Announcement" that US and AC were going to enter into a "strategic alliance". It was the lead story in the company newspaper.
That whole deal was quickly cast aside when the BA investment and wet-lease deal happened. (And that deal was kiboshed by the BA-AA alliance.)
Parker had 20 months from the consummation of the merger to the Nicolau award to negotiate a contract with the pilots. Because he chose, typical of today's airline management, to foot-drag and low-ball the negotiations, he is now stuck with the nuclear war between the pilot groups. Had he agreed to a fair contract with the pilots before Nicolau, not only would the contract be a done deal, but so would the pilot seniority list.