As one of the original architects of a Pilot Association and its relationship with its representing Union, I can shed some light on how it works.
The pilot groups association does all the real work. Those issues that are raised by pilot members with the association, usually through its own members website or portal and end up on a list. From there the committee seeks to determine does the issue have support.
The issues on that list are broken into two groups, must haves and nice to have.
The must haves must be supported by a better than 2/3 majority of the membership, while the nice to haves only a majority.
The percentage of support for those matters are normally a closely guarded secret, in some cases even from the committee itself. The reason for that is that if a must have issue is or will be unpopular with the company, then they will actively attempt to lobby against the issue. We call that divide and conquer.
Nice to have issues are listed and an attempt is made to introduce them into the negotiation phase of the next EBA.
The Chairman of the Pilots Association is usually the Unions Delegate.
What the Union will not do:
Seek to represent an individual on Check and Training matters.
Use its Industrial Muscle for the benefit of individual members.
Use its Industrial muscle for nice to have issues.
What the Union will do:
Seek to represent the Pilot Group on industrial matters and EBA negotiations and apply if necessary its industrial muscle for Must have Issues.
Matters other than check and training issues that impact upon individual members are normally dealt with by the Pilot Groups Committee and its close working relationship with the company.
Regardless of any issue, the Committee and the Union must always act in the best interests of the greater majority of its pilot group or membership.