We remain committed to a consensual agreement, but we just have seen no movement. At this moment, management has refused to negotiate. They are still at $325 million.

While I am hopeful that an agreement can be obtained, a decision by the neutral panel on the question of contract rejection is still a real possibility. Our position on a rejected contract has not changed. We will not work willingly without a contract.

All along, our biggest problem has been that the management team did not recognize that a 50 percent pay cut in a year and a termination of their pension plan ... if that wasn't enough to be the tipping point, I don't know what is. So, I believe that they (Delta management) recognized that.

Our goal is a consensual agreement, but we're not willing to give management things it wants but does not really need. If management demands remain excessive we may be forced into a situation where we have no choice (but strike). There are limits to what employees will do.

Their single-element strategy seems to be one of 'bankruptcy profiteering' based in large part on the sacrifices of the Delta employees.

Their actions have put us in this position.