Legals vs Morals
The AOA leadership appears to draw a distinction between what it feels it can 'legally' challenge, as opposed to what should be opposed on 'moral' grounds.
I am sure that Dragon aircrew, and our own cabincrew here at Cathay, were being manipulated by management 'correctly' in legal terms, but their associations fought their battle on clear moral grounds - and won. They won through demonstration, publicity, contract compliance and even resignation. Not through court action.
We Cathay aircrew, however, in having our association observe the niceties of 'modern industrial negotiation practices' have seen, among other things; an imposition of less pay under CoS08 for DEFO New Joiners from January 2008; the demise of FACA interpreted in the Company's best interests; a pitiful imposed payrise; unfettered age 65 retirement increase at the Company's discretion...
All this at a time of unprecedented expansion in the airline industry, consequent pressure on pilot recruitment, and improvement in aircrew conditions of service elsewhere.
If this is what the AOA has 'achieved' for the membership at this time, what can we expect from such a compliant AOA executive in an industry downturn?
Excuse me if I fail to see any upside for the membership in the AOA's present strategy.