ATC management in the US operates with virtual impunity from the rest of the world. They have unilaterally imposed a labor contract over two years ago, with a 30% pay cut for a new "B" scale controllers, frozen base pay for the current controllers, reduction in premium pays that the management work force retains, a HUGE staffing shortage for controllers while management ranks enjoy 100+% staffing.
So, for an arrogant supervisor (renamed since the unilateral contract to a war-like moniker of "Front Line Manager") to just order whatever he wants, and expect that even though the airlines might complain, he knows he can operate with impunity. Ask the FAA spokesholes that will tell ya, "all is well, safety was never compromised. The only reason that the ATC labor union is making an issue out of this is for a favorable contract."
Except when this issue is brought before the public. Any Joe SixPack can see this isn't right. Any flying professional can see this isn't right. But can the Bush appointees who run the FAA see that?