"I've never seen that high a percentage of the membership vote."

"Most of the membership votes in only about six fields," he added.

The Church felt this should be a church decision, and set the date for the membership vote.

It will be several months before the board votes on any formal proposal, and the membership vote would come still later.

But the plan was approved with nearly 85 percent of the weighted membership vote.

Usually after vigorous lobbying, the full membership votes by formal written ballot.

The proposal requires board approval before going to a membership vote.

"But they'll be put to the test, and then the membership votes."

Nonetheless, getting a deal on the four schemes that can be put to membership votes by 31 December is going to be very difficult indeed.

American's unions agreed to hold broad membership votes by April 15 on the concessions.