For the second tine in 2 forums I have to take issue with Leading Edge's comments. BALPA are not a lap dog union. The failure to improve conditions in the North Sea is down to a refusal to recognise the Union by the management and, more importantly, an unwillingness of the workforce to act as one ( under any banner ). Time and time again, any attempt to agree or do anything has been undermined by the 20 or so % of the workforce who are happy to make loud noises in public but will take the money and run given the opportunity. Instead of looking for union / oil company / management scapegoats, we should all take a good hard look at what we have or haven't done.
PS I am not a rep and I was too young to be involved in the North Sea Pilots strike fiasco - though the report makes interesting reading.