Come on then smart Alecs what's the alternative to working togther?
Some of you don't have a clue what you are talking about. Working together is one element of the way the trade unions liase with management. In essence it means no surprises from each side. Just because working together is banded about (forgive the pun)doesn't mean it replaces good old fashioned negotiation. Certain aspects of communicating are appropriate for certain tasks - for example the move of TC to Swanwick, working together there solved lot's of problems and meant nobody was in the dark about what was happening - those moving from MACC should benefit from it as it is being used as an example of what can be achieved from 'working together' in the lessons learnt from the move - which is yet another form of the working together process.
If you think that the union wants to be in this position with pensions you need your head examining. What do you think NATS would have done if they hadn't been forced to negotiate or work together on this way forward? You should have seen what they wanted to do to your pension - and they could have - they can alter any of your conditions with 6 months notice.
So call it whatever you want but remember that if the union doesn't talk/negotiate with management then you'll be in stalemate and if you think that works then go back to 1973 and the 3 day week or the winter of discontent in 1978 - wasn't that a fabulous time for trade unionism and a refusal to negotiate.