This kind of subverts union leadership though. How can the union leadership negotiate in good faith when there's no evidence that they are in a position to con

This kind of subverts union leadership though. How can the union leadership negotiate in good faith when there's no evidence that they are in a position to control or act on behalf of members? Then again, I think it's technically illegal for members of the airline industry to actively strike. So maybe this is how it's done for plausible deniability sake.