The company did email the guys they laid off as they promised to say recruitment was open again. They then emailed them to say they weren't taking their applications further because they were no longer current on the 737 (although they would have been still rated). The union did apparently complain about this and 6 of the 130 (ish) who were made redundant got back in after a full selection process. The next intake after these 6 were the cadets they had employed after they made the 130 redundant.
So I guess you could say that BALPA might of helped 6 guys back into the firm. Not very impressive though is it? So Nosmo King: "Many of those that where made redundant were re-employed and many of those are now Captains." I think you are over stating the facts.