212,
I think the larger operators do have some sort of unpaid leave arrangement.
Noiseboy, in the present climate you do not have a hope in hell - too much uncertainty to drop all and buy in on it.
US and UK operators seem to be adamant union haters; do not fully understand why the leaders fear such bodies. Typically you're with us, or agin us. Spurns any chance of collective flexibility that hueyracer might wish to achieve.
Elsewhere it has worked and it is used as a tool to consult both ways; and help out with social planning especially in times such as this - but you do need 90+% support of the union.