RJ,
The history of the Gulf of Mexico is not one that the American Helicopter Industry can brag about. The cut throat, under bid your competition to keep them from getting business (no matter the bottom line....market share is all that counts) attitude combined with a "sweat shop" mentality held by all of the old style management worked together to deprive the ground and pilot staff from enjoying proper compensation for the knowledge, skill, and risks they faced in their employment.
That same attitude of doing everything on the cheap prevented necessary infrastructure from being built, safety was ignored, and in general....it was and still remains a miserable place to work.
Throw in the fact, a great number of combat experienced pilots returned from Vietnam in a very short interval drove the wages down as well. The companies capitalized on that and rode rough shod over the people.
Unions finally came to be because of that very obnoxious attitude and treatment by management. Our European brothers not having the burden to way too many pilots and far too few jobs....organized before the GOM guys.
We see many safety innovations and attention to compliance with safety rules that are driven by the unions and not the operators and oil companies.
The Bob Suggs School of Helicopter Management has held back real meaningful progress in the Gulf of Mexico and thus the entire United States. With the creation of unions by the pilots, finally the guys and gals in the cockpit seats are having a seat at the table when safety is being discussed instead of just the operators and vendors.
I for one support the Union in their efforts to raise wages and improve the work environment which translates as a win to all pilots across the country.
I am not a Union pilot and have had management experience in my working career thus I am not a left wing socialist but there comes a time when good men have to take a stand. My greatest hope is the PHI pilots will achieve their goal which in time will go a long way in finally showing the Dinosauers from the Bob Suggs School, that times have changed and they must too.
Thus RJ, since Union Brothers, much like fellow Masons do, stick together in times of crisis.....I would suggest all Union pilots have an interest in this affair....along with every other working pilot in the Industry.
Give'em Hell Guys!