Feather #3.
What you say is some of the story, it has two parts.
The part you quote is The gospel acording to Graham the Angry Ant.
That position completely ignores the principles of mutual assistance on which unions thrive.
Sure they were paying more. Given that we all paid a percentage, of course they would, they were earning more.
Its the same with taxation. The more you earn the more you pay. Or another way of putting it you pay according to your ability to do so. It's all about the mutual good.
Fortunately the domestic airline guys, by and large, remembered from whence they came, and hung with, (rather than hung out to dry), the GA guys. Never heard any self centred carping from them that they were paying more and therefore should get more. (and by the way if we don't we'll take our bat and p1ss off).
The other part of the story was of course that which concerned Geoff the Charismatic.
He, of course, was on a mission from his then (or was it future father in law). He was tasked to deliver you all to the gelding yard. Can't fault him on his ability to deliver. You have been a puppet team ever since.
So with you all safetly delivered back to the company, Geoff and Graham were able to ride off into the sunset basking in the favours meted out by a very grateful company.
Sorry to tell you fellah's. Once you've been gelded, its unlikely that the equipment will grow back
However thats all 30 years ago, and really is history. Perhaps we can learn from it.
Regards
TO