It is YOUR "independent" Safety Board:
Is this nstb history fair play?
NTSB probably did the right thing.
The last thing you want during investigation are squabbles between two parties both issuing public statements. And there was no need to kick out anybody else who participated constructively in the investigation.
And YES, NTSB has been very independent, its track record is spotless.
Pilot's Union is a highly politicized organization, would be at the very bottom of my trustworthy list, I won't shed tears because of their "non-participation".