mensaboy,
I'm not threatening anybody, nor am I in a position to do so. In my opinion, the thread starter has stuck his neck far out. If you go against your company in the ME, you better not give them the opportunity to identify you. Suddenly there is one more pilot not showing up for work tomorrow, and he'll find himself very lonely with no union to go to, and his mates will not support him. Not openly, because they know what might happen if they do.
Do you guys really think you are alone in here?
As for the sick leave certificates, that will be a ME-typical reaction to the "problem".
How long have you guys been here? Arabs don't like to be bullied or pressured. They don't like ultimatums. The will let the business suffer badly before they give in or lose face. It's their nature. If they have to give, it must be seen as coming from within their own group, not due to external pressure.
Now, out of curiosity, how many ULR's can you do in a month?