Pretty much. There's a time and place for everything. For instance, it clearly doesn't make sense to take a strike vote now but it would make sense if the company attempted to stonewall.

You have to get close to self help in order for a strike vote to mean anything which means playing the game. If you ask for "x" because that's what you used to be paid you probably won't get to self help. If you ask for "x" and show how it relates to the rest of the industry and that company financials will support it you stand a better chance.

I can't speak for anyone but myself but to me it means not being a pain in the ass when it isn't warranted. Finding ways to deal with issues before the grievance process. In my experience, this has been a much more effective way conducting business. It doesn't mean "give the company whatever it wants".

I'm guessing you are okay with the CPO using proactive engagement. When you have a bad day and make an ill-advised PA blaming the company for a delay you get called in to do the carpet dance, right? The meeting can go one of two ways; 1) you explain your bad day, apologize profusely, listen to an explanation of why we don't do that and are on your merry way. 2) You defend your actions, refuse to change your behavior and are rewarded with an unpaid week at home which you can choose to fight further or just accept. Without proactive engagement you wouldn't have option 1 or 2, you'd just get the punishment and your choices would be fight it or accept it. Both situations are terrible.

By the way, I don't mean to imply you'd make an ill-advised PA. I'm sure, like 99% of our pilots, you are always professional.

Throw it in if you'd like. I don't suggest making it your argument because the company doesn't care and the mediator isn't likely to make any decisions based on it.