FACT: Pilot's terms and conditions are better in unionized airlines.
FACT: BALPA is an extremely modern, progressive union that works extremely effectively WITH management to come up with sensible, negotiated solutions to problems that both parties are satisfied with. This ensures a profitable, sustainable company that secures its pilot's futures whilst maintaining benchmarked, fair rewards for what are often the airline's most highly motivated employees.
FACT: BALPA have not actually gone on strike for many years (I don't know how many but it's at least 10). They have threatened it but only when necessary.
FACT: Airline pilots generally work for an airline for many years, sometimes their whole career, so out of all employee groups have the biggest invested interest in the long term viability and profitability of the company. In contrast most airline executives and CEOs have a much shorter term in the job and are often there to 'hit and run' with terms and conditions.
FACT: BALPA have negotiated some excellent solutions at many UK airlines, not just BA without resorting to strike action.
FACT: BALPA members get back many many times their subscriptions every year in increased terms and conditions.
What are RYR management afraid of? What are RYR pilots afraid of (apart from RYR management)? If RYR pilots join a union they will no longer have to be afraid of the management and not have to put up with their bullying, some might say unsafe, tactics. JUST DO IT!