The reference to a new form of slavery really is quite apt - the suits at Delta and other legacy carriers are gently floating down to cozy retirements on golden parachutes as the slave labor force stays shackled to the sinking ship, (OK - so I mixed metaphors). The strike option does give those on the front line the ability to redistribute the pain more equitably towards the rear echelon types. In many ways though the ability to strike is a mute point. Winter weather approaches the twin Delta hubs of Cincinnati and Atlanta and it requires little effort for 6000 very unhappy pilots to turn a challenging environment into chaos. There isn't any money left in the piggy bank, the issue at stake here is a fundamental one of fairness. The Automobile industry will be the next to tip toe down the path of rescinded contracts and missing pensions, not too much political fallout yet but there perhaps will be.
What is surprising is that ALPO have finally grown a back-bone and decided to do something. Perhaps the shock of taking multiple sidewinders from 6 o'clock has abated and the quixotic tilting at windmills will cease. Wouldn't bet on it though.