There is no way for this to benefit Obama.
I hope you're right but I smell a rat. Here's a possible scenario:
Union organizes phony threat to strike. They set their demands way above any possibility that they will be successful. The Leftist MSM feigns worry and concern. A regular "woe is me" feast.
Obama comes to the rescue with a plan that satisfies the Unions and the Mayor. Dancing in the streets of Chicago, New York, Atlanta (CNN), Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Washington DC.
Obama gets another phony 5 point bounce in the polls. Whata guy. What talent. Pure genius.