Thrust....
Technically in the USA, when you go on strike, you no longer are employ with that company. Ie: They boot you out of hotels and you cannot use the company ID to jumpseat. No pay, the medical coverage for the family ceased, etc..etc. Everything stops! So what labour protection are you talking about??
I think the basic idea here is, there is NO WAY management can hire 1300 pilots in a month or 2 months or even 6 months! They can't even begin to train pilots when they don't have the C&T Capt.
Get the picture???