Certainly, the fine is designed to make it virtually impossible for these workers to strike, and I don't blame them for thinking of crossing the picket lines for it.  However, this is a great illustration of how the system works and why it makes any true resistance near impossible.  And yeah, the TWU was offered a decent contract in the end, but if we're talking about workers needing to get paid just to survive (the rational for crossing the lines) then forcing them to put 6% of their savings into their pension, while a wise long-term decision, will only exacerbate their short-term situations.  Especially when their raises barely keep up with inflation (3.5% a year is the highest that has been on the table so far).