In Germany, the Unions have long had a policy of 'jumping around a bit' but everyone knows that they will come to a good, workmanlike agreement. Consequently, the Unions are still respected by both sides AND still a force to be reckoned with.
The British Unions have, I suggest, always made such a big thing of taking control and taking over the whip, that they were likely to have overshot from the outset. Whilst British Unions had a great deal to overcome and certainly were needed to redress the balance - they have lost the battle. NOT because of govt action but because they have lost public support. I think that the public would still support a strike by nurses but never by well paid cabin crew. Also, let's not re-hash how well or badly paid they are, they have a job with privileges. That is enough!