The key is "perceived disrespect." Boeing machinists are well paid, have an interesting job, and are using the "disrespect" claim as a cover for their real reason for striking. Now that Boeing has finally started recovering its market share, the union thought that they could strike when the iron was hot and extract salary concessions from Lazy B. It aint going to happen and since the strike is almost three weeks old, they will likely come out on the short end of the stick.
But whenever they strike, they always lose $$$. They never get ahead economically. Why do you think they continue to go on strike each time?
You are right about the unions not being run by the "brightest bulbs" LOL, they are often a bunch of thugs, but they claim they are striking because of lack of respect and that emotionalism will go far. Their jobs are not interesting, they punch a clock and take lunches and breaks when a whistle blows. They think, what's wrong with demanding a little respect?