ITCZ,
What a remarkably concise and erudite post, almost don't know where to start with a response!
At the risk of wasting far too much bandwidth, perhaps I will begin by leaving the personalities aside and stating what I know to be true!
-Pilots are under represented in GA!
-In my 7 1/2 years in GA, down the highway, then at the other end of the apron from Hardy's, I never saw a union rep not once!
-As a new joiner to a small regional, still no sign of a rep.
-I had no direct knowledge of the union, nor their benefits, only heresay and second hand (often incorrect) info!
I think Chimbu as he usually does, has hit on the head, Education is the key, but that has to be started somewhere!
Whilst you may not agree with my view, or my politics, do you agree that education and an increase of the union base is required, in order to stop the rot at the higher levels?
If your answer is yes, how do you propose that we achieve it?
PS: I think EWL is definately on the right track!