Not sure where you work RIMMER. Your first name isnt Alan is it.
With an answer like that it sounds like it. (Our former general convenor who sold us down the river) The prime reason a lack of trust in our AEEU now AMICUS union has developed.
By giving away an "internationally recognised" qualification to all and sundry, many who quite honestly should'nt have it, have rendered it worthless. If it has taken you ten years to get an A license I'm worried. They certainly didn't give away B1 and B2 licenses like the french authorities. Certainly licensed carpet fitters as you call them isnt anything to be proud of. Frankly Ill be suprised if you work on the shop floor, with your last post.
Yes the unions strength is its members but the members are tired of having the rug pulled from under them anytime they try and stand united by their own union who frankly enjoys the status quo of not having to do much.
But this thread isnt about engineering state of affair so this is my last post on the matter of engineering and its relationship with its union.