Also, the mgmt negotiator said that the reason mgmt locked the union out was because the union was intentionally slowing their work resulting in 60% reduction in productivity. In effect, the union was on strike while still collecting a pay check. The union guy smiled smugly when this was brought up and said that charge was only alleged.
I know for a fact this is not at all unusual for unions to pull this stunt and they usually get away with it. I have no problem with organized labor and collective bargaining...to a certain extent. However, when this sort of slow down starts in order for the unions to get their way, I have a real problem with them. Those of us that are not in a union wouldn't last very long at all at our job if we tried that tactic.
Its an effective tactic since after forcing mgmt to lock them out, the union can take the high ground and claim to just want to get back to work.