Finn,
Agree with you entirely. Contrary to what they may think CC don't belong to a skilled, high tech trade group, their training is conducted over a relatively short period of time and is not particularly demanding (although most of them will have you believe it is!). There are many others out there ready and willing to change places with them and once gone you are very soon forgotten. TWA many years ago springs to mind. The only bargaining tool the Union has at the moment is the close proximity of the proposed strike action. Even the French Air Traffic Controllers wouldn't dream of holding their "annual" strike at Christmas!!!