Once again, your lack of an aviation/airline background is quite obvious.
The safety card is a very difficult card to play. So is the sickout card. And its become even harder with the technology that's available to track and analyze data. USAPA's problem is that they're using tactics that date back to the 80's and 90's and trying to apply them now. That is, obviously, very stupid.
Let me tell you a thing or two. I've worked almost exclusively in the Printing/Graphic Arts/Office Products industry and operated equipment that if not operated safely could remove a limb or worse kill you. Mostly people lose fingers.
In an non union environment I've played the "Safety Card" twice and kept my job both times. Once of over the concentration of certain fumes emitted by various chemicals used in the printing process. I had gotten a really bad cough and sore throat so I went to the Doctor and he checked me out. I asked "Doc, could this be caused by breathing in fumes for printing chemicals" His reply was "Absolutely and I'm putting a stop to it". I was unsure of that last part of the comment but I quickly found out as the following Monday at work I'm called into the office and here the Dr had contacted OSHA on my behalf. Company insisted that their Dr examine me. Chest x-ray, the whole deal. Their Doc says, "Bob you don't really think this was caused by chemicals do you"" Being young I replied, "Where did you get your degree in Printing"? he says, "I don't have one", I replied "oh the same place I got my medical degree". His last words to me were "GET OUT" so I did. That summer the company spent $85,000 to install proper ventilation.
The other incident was with a cutter with no safety straps. I just refused, Boss tried to intimidate me physically and I smiled at him and said, "You know Bill you do an awful lot of Government contract work, wonder how OSHA would feel about that cutter"? I left a few months later.
So for me I know about working safe. To this very day I don't wear a watch or jewelry. The air quality issues need to be investigated, if it means involving OSHA, FAA, DOT whomever then so be it. My culture and background dictates a safe work place.
If the Pilot situation is found to be one of playing Chicken Shite games, well we'll know soon enough. Nobody is saying squat from Tempe over air quality so something is not right as they never miss a chance to diss their employees.