LTP
30% (and more) of members not even being arsed to vote or even return a spoiled paper says one thing and one thing only to management... that they (management) can get away with almost anything because regardless of how hard (or otherwise) the union tries to fight our corner, a huge swathe of people won't bother voting when it comes to a ballot.
A big non turn out is as good as a vote in favour of the management proposal because management know that we are apathetic.
Maybe the apathy has been brought about because of past negotitations and people becoming disgruntled with the Union, but by not voting either way, we are putting out a huge message.
Hell a 90% 'yes' vote in favour of changes to the pension would have been better than a 30% no show - at least then management would realise that we do give a damn about what is happening within NATS and we are interested.
What we have now after the last two ballots is proof that a large number of members aren't bothered and don't give a stuff what happens within NATS.
Do we have a weak Union? Maybe, but collectively the membership is responsible for making them even weaker.
Draw as many graphs as you want... when you are at the negotiating table fights are lost or won as much on perception of strength and support as they are on accountancy profit and loss figures.