Wobble-head,
I am sorry, but I have no personal experience of Alpa. What I do know is that despite sharing a common language (!), conditions in our two countries are quite different.
In the US, contracts between Unions and the Airlines are legally enforceable; in the UK, they are 'binding in honour' only.
In the US, pilots are willing to take industrial action; in the UK, they are not so willing but may do when they feel so hacked off. The strength of any Union is determined by its members, not by the full time staff. More pilots like you (you appear to be willing to 'get involved') are needed - perhaps you might be willing to get involved in your own company and attempt to change things?