I don't know the history of labor unions as well as some surely do, but over the past 15 years or so unions have been vastly reduced in power by politicians of both leanings. If I am not mistaken, Bill Clinton ordered striking pilots back to work. The courts have not been labor friendly either.

A wildcat strike as described by A320fumes would likely be completely unsuccessful. It would serve only to **** off passengers and management and would not accomplish much of anything. Other airlines would simply pick up the slack.

There is no unity outside each airline's own pilot group, even within ALPA.

We are ultimately too selfish.

No easy answers. And striking should truly be a last resort IMHO anyway. Strikes rarely result in any winners. Both sides lose usually. And labor should not talk of strike unless they really, really mean it. Otherwise it just becomes empty talk.