The union and company are merely denying that they have done anything illegal. Not surprising. Pilots strikes have to be approved by the National Mediation Board. Any job actions including sick outs are very illegal. The last time a major airline had a strike authorized it lasted for 24 minutes before they were ordered back to work by President Clinton.
The media have done an atrocious job covering this story. Gell-Mann amnesia is in full effect.
How can something be “very” illegal? Either it’s illegal or it’s not. Please note inserting qualitative modifiers like “very” indicates that the speaker has no actual evidence for their stance and subconsciously use words like very to build confidence.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Mediation_Board
The first 7 minutes of this video are very relevant to the Southwest situation.
Your Pilot Career and Scope Clauses - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XYpZg0SPCE