In Limbo,
If you were in our shoes, you will know how it feels to live with uncertainity. Even though we got a little raise on our salary it doesn't pay bills when you are on E.I and seeking for another job in the meantime you're waiting to get recalled....only to work for summer time then lay off again for about 7 mo. in a row if you aren't willing to move temporary to another base if your seniority permits.
As an example, some of my colleagues who were YYZ based, had to go to YVR and YUL so they could work. But what do you think of the ones who have a family, a house? They can't be as flexible as a single person.
So an union can be helpfull in some ways but on the other hand they aren't the ones who decide whether or not to lay us off, it's the company.
Like in any company,profits have to be made.