Check reality check
Oh and one other thing. Let us assume that the non members are more company than not. I know there are some hard corfe that left the AOA in disgust but for a moment just suppose.
If that is the case then the company would actually benefit by letting it be known that they approve (or at least support) of having the AOA. Then new joiners and fence sitting worriers would see that it is ok to join. If you got 200-300 more joiners then the votes would probably follow a more company sympathetic direction.
While this may not be ideal in some eyes, it surley would be better at the negotiating table and iin the aftermath of any vote taken.
Not sure what I think of that possibility.