To add maybe somewhat to this discussion, it seems that after NWA technicians and their union the AMFA got a truly industry leading contract, AA and their union the TWU, were unable to leapfrog NWA. Even after having the trail blazed for them, they still returned an unsatisfactory agreement. They continue with b-scale wages and what they call SRP's as backshop support personnel at about $ 8.00 per hour less! The struggle is far from over here in the USA. One thing that we may be missing is the fact that the pilots are nearly all in one union of only pilots. Here in the US there are several industrial unions and one craft union representing various companies. What that boils down to, is that you can't get a group of ten guys to get a cup of coffee together, let alone stand up for proper wages and working conditions. No matter how any of you feel about what you are paid, do you think the pilots level of responsibility dictates a wage that is 2/3 to 4 times what the average technician/engineer is making? I didn't think so either!