These base closures demonstrate more clearly than ever the need for proper local contracts. Closing a base with zero hours contracts is as easy as just rostering you from a new base. Is a zero cost option for the company. Closing a base with local contracts means going through a consultation and a redundancy process plus paying out the legal compensation. Closing a base with local contracts and union representation means entering a negotiation leading to minimising the disruption to employees plus paying above the legal compensation. The more aggressive the behaviour the greater the need for union representation.