Hopeful CC,
SRB told the CC members who were threatening to strike that if the non-monetary bennies together with their salary was not enough for them, they were free to leave VA and go to other airlines. It was his view that the whole package was a better deal than some other airlines (with higher pay, but possibly less bennies) offered their own CC.
Sometimes though, salary does trump other bennies... you can't pay your bills with bennies ("well, Mr Councillor sir, I would love to pay my council tax in full, but would you like a companion flight for free to LAX as part payment instead?").
I know I sound cynical when I say that; I understand the concerns and the views of both SRB and the CC, having had the shoe on either foot. There has to be a good middle way somewhere. The staff who leave clearly are not happy with what they were offered, and they were free to leave. And I'm sure there are a fair few who would've preferred to have stayed if the deal had been better.
S.