41.  Raytheon spokesman Robert McWade said he could not comment on the timing of the announcement except to say the union leadership had backed the proposal.

42.  She declined to elaborate, or to discuss whether the national union leadership had authorized the walkout.

43.  Some players might defy their union leadership on a secret ballot, but not in a show of hands.

44.  That the players have decided to treat it as seriously as the league says something about the union leadership.

45.  The intention, says Stern, is to strike a deal with this union leadership so that both sides can continue to prosper long after his reign.

46.  The league and the union leadership are campaigning for the agreement and against decertification of the union.

47.  The movement has pitted players against the union leadership, which has been joined by the league in campaigning against it.

48.  The panel would also be able to circumvent union leadership and send its contract proposals directly to union members for a vote.

49.  The players who oppose the union leadership and the agreement need decertification to pursue their antitrust lawsuit.

50.  The rank-and-file rejection was a surprise to union leadership, and many teachers said the wage freeze was the paramount factor.