By standing together and staying unified and not letting them undermine our unity. That is their goal. If outside forces such as attrition doesn't pay a part as you say it doesn't then pilot unity is their only roadblock. Convincing enough of us that we aren't worth as much as our union brothers at other airlines can get them a vote. Wearing us down only helps that cause. They are not going to shut down an airline because they don't want to pay a fair wage. They may do everything in their power not to pay it including stopping the operation completely for a period of time during a strike but they won't just shutter the place. They have shareholders and can't be that stubborn. They can afford it and will pay eventually if we stay unified and stop doing everyone else's job.

Yes there is a cost to us for not agreeing to slightly lower pay sooner but I think it costs us more in the long run because we will live under that contract for likely 8 years. I'd rather hold out and get a real contract. The more unified we are the sooner it happens.