The way I read that is totally different.
IMHO, there was a comparison of two unions and how they represent their members. I did not see where pagbraith was called pathetic, but rather the fact that the members dont stand united is what invoked a barb.
Having been in multiple positions of observation, my personal opinion is --- unions suck. Based on Pagbraith's comments, after 18 years of membership, if he's not frontrunning me, he's not far behind me.