A. Lurker
It is the democratic way in which we do things in the UK - just like a General Election ie Is it right that we have a Government when only 50% of the electorate vote? Everyone who is a union member is entitled to go to the meeting and vote.
This is a poor analogy.
The main difference being that when we elect govenment, eveyone has an opportunity to vote. If only 50% of the electorate vote due to apathy, then so be it, but at least everyone can either vote at polling stations or by post or by proxy.
To have a meeting with only 2000-3000 crew, then conduct votes by a show of hands is hardly representative of the union membership. Many crew would not have had the opportunity to vote for a plethora of reasons (the main one being that there would have been many at work). This process is not independent, it is not audited and is not defensible.
Just to clear something up with regards salary. BA pilots may earn 30% more than charter pilots (probably closer to 20-25%), but charter pilots tend to work 650-750 hours a year compared to 850-900 hours a year for BA pilots.