Well, we know it's not a formal union (Choas) action as there hasn't been a vote authorizing it. I would venture this is an artifact of poor planning by management for summer loads combined with a workforce that isn't willing to give up their days off for said issues.

Wasn't NW supposed impliment a reserve system so we wouldn't have these issues in the first place?

As far as pay, while I feel for the unions, I'm firmly a grab the brass ring kind of person. If you don't like what you're doing, or what you're getting paid to do it, you gott'a make a change. Be changing jobs, or laying it on the line with your employer, client, whatever.