The ban was put in place in response to the sacking of 53 people, and would remain until they were reinstated. The company never suggested that anyone hired from then on would be to replace these people, in fact more than 53 have started since then and another 30 or so to come prior to the freezing of courses. Blind Freddy can see that a new SO is not going to replace very experienced FOs and CPTs.
The AOA has said that it will unconditionally return to the negotiating table. But hang on by virtue of the fact that the ban is still in place shows that all the good faith they are professing to is a load crap, there is a condition and that is that 53 people are reinstated.
The company invited these people to reapply for a position with the company but the union (not the people themselves) said this wasn't accepteable unless they were hired back enmass. The company responded by saying fine they cannot ever apply again end of story. The union, for a second time, lost these people their jobs, well done.
As a final show of cowardliness they then made the job of fighting the company, not theirs, but anyone who is not a member of the union and not even an employee of the company ie new hopefulls.
The union is a bunch of cowardly militants who are working for their own agendas and not the good of their members. They have made unbelievable decisions that defy rational, intelligent thinking, they will lose this one and hopefully the membership will see the management for what it is and get rid of it, it is doing far more harm than good.