Ballsout, this is the eternal question - when is a good time to stand up or to gain respect? The answer is: this has nothing to do with "when is a good time?". Sick fed up of hearing this excuse. There will never be a good time if you listen to management ! That is the only truth. And don't worry for finding an excuse for the next time around, the company will provide that for you, free of charge.
The terms and condition, if left to management, are only going to go down (look at the sector pay, the ever reducing basic pay new captains start on, total disrespect towards our leave system changing every year). This is where we need to get organised, helped by BALPA. Is it going to be simple? No. Is it going to be painless? No. But: Will it put us back on track to be respected and paid like the rest of the industry? OH YES!! If you're looking for an easy fix, that magic bullet, there ain't any. Simple. Do I wish it was easier? Yes. Tough. Management has created this situation, nobody else. Time to find our courage (BALLS) and sign the union in.
And BTW, Respect will make you feel seriously better towards your work, and that is priceless. Forgetting the way we are treated, putting that on the side, that will one day hit you back like a ton of bricks... and it will be too late. And let us not forget that our pilot stood up for what he thought was right, I pay full respect to him! What is democracy worth? No need to answer, just try dictatorship..
Again, it won't be easy but all we need to do is to confidentially tell a Committee we want to be represented, there is no need to even tell any manager your opinion or publicly defend the cause if you do not wish to do so. Just one little vote! No need to be BALPA member (although admittely it would help the cause).