Hey MT
In Air Nelson the majority of Feds are on the top salary scales with the exception of the new FOs who were bullied into joining the feds during the strike action by a CEO who refused to show new hires ALPA contracts and then told them that if ALPA got their way they all would be made redundant.
ALPA and its parent association IALPA are very much involved in working for a safer flying environmant for all pilots. I never heard the Feds trying to promote a return to control towers at some of our provincial airfeilds such as Taupo. I am sure that even the Feds would agree that safety would be enhanced at Taupo with a controller. Unfortunately they are not prepared to front up with some of their hard bludged salaries to fight for it.