I wouldn't have minded if he had issued an opinion that the union _might_ do something to members, rather than the leader of the company saying bad stuff will d

I wouldn't have minded if he had issued an opinion that the union _might_ do something to members, rather than the leader of the company saying bad stuff will definitely happen to people who side against the company. After all, he has more motivation and opportunity than anyone else to follow through on that credible threat. Otherwise, is the mob boss in my example just expressing an opinion, too?