Those crewmembers who vote in independent unions must survive on their own-but are some of these unions voted in only in order to appear more welcomed by their managements (with a less abrasive image?), but at the price of having only an average contract, compared to their main competitors?
But can such associations finance a realistic "war chest", while charging typical union dues? This war chest might be needed in case of serious changes among mgmt attitudes in the future.
Whoever claimed/claims that doctors' or lawyers associations (AMA/ABA...) are not trade unions is a liar or totally ignorant.