Everyone keep in mind, that authorization for the strike vote doesn't mean the vote will be taken any time soon. Yes, It's a good PR move, but it's only an authorization. Keep it in your pocket so to speak, to be taken at a future time that might be more tactical.

As has already been stated here, a strike vote to the NMB before requests for mediation might not go over well. My personal opinion is we should have done this long ago, and my hope is that we'll take that vote sooner rather than later.