I'm pretty sure that coming out and mentioning pay being a cause for unsafe piloting is not the way for the union to go. I suppose this idiot thought it would be a clever way to try to get a pay raise for pilots.
I'm in the industry and the only thing this comment does it gets me pissed over the idea that someone would risk everyone's life and try to land in a situation he/she didn't feel was safe just because they were worrying about the possibility they would lose a few hours pay. If I were that pilot I'd be backpedaling away from any hint that this might be true and I'd also be mad that the entity that is supposed to represent him was already botching it up with the media.
I flew for 35 years as a f/a and NEVER did I ever feel a pilot compromised safety for anything..