Aren't the majority of Feds (until recently) all old buggers on the B747 creaming it! Selling rostering rules which the company doesn't comply with anyway!!!! So they still get the ALPA rostering rules, which are more fatigue friendly.
ALPA provide a lot of support to the GA scene, are a check/balance to the regulators.
I for one was not convinced, coming from a farming background regarding unions, but it does the best it can dealing with a very agressive employer (for the majority).
With the current CAA method of operating a safety (blame/prosecution) culture it would seem we need the legal support of ALPA more than ever. When they say they don't operate a 'no blame culture', that flies in the face of most other major Aviation authorites in the world.
Hope the facilitated bargaining is helping to inch the negotiations forward. Keep up the huge efforts it will be worth it.