Zippy, your answer leads me to ask what the CC and BALPA could have done to ensure that the cadets did have representation: I was on the phone to a mate at bmi this morning and got first hand info on how the buck was passed around there regarding the 145s.
If the easy CC had the will to deal with the situation, along with assertive support from BALPA HQ, the situation could easily have been resolved: which validates my assertion that BALPA and the CCs are prepared to sacrifice individuals and minorities for the benefit of other groups, notably the CC reps!!