Captainkingkong
To answer your first para, I have no connection with BALPA or J2, other than as an occasional pax but I do have an aviation background from my RAF days, albeit that that was a long time ago. I have been involved in trade unions for many years so you are right, I am not sitting on the fence. I think that all work forces deserve their legal right to be represented by a union of their choice to be recognised if it is the will of the majority of members (with certain caveats). My motives are quite simple and pure, if you guys get screwed then we lower down the food chain can expect even worse. I would have not entered into this fray had I not seen a thread running on recognition within RYR in which those who appeared to management stooges were giving out dubious information regarding the vote, I sought to correct this and the almost inevitable flak started. On here a question was asked and I sought to give a clear answer. Hope that clears that up.
Your 3rd para re Excel I thought I had covered in my example of BA.
I agree with you re silver bullets, that is why I am taking the time to try to give clear and unambiguous answers.
I also agree that this should be apolitical, unfortunately this has not been my experience on here, well certain other threads. I am far from a rabble rouser but have been accused of being so and in another thread the best response that could be achieved by another couple of posters was pictures of Red Robbo. I made that statement to try to avoid this kind of thing. In the same way that some naive people will seek to 'big up' a union others will try to paint it as militant. I prefer truth. That is a general comment and meant in no particular direction.
I consider it quite right and proper to advise that one of the tools open to unions is strike, it is the final sanction and no member considers it lightly but it remains that it is there. I do not gloss over it nor do I emphasise it.. You hold a certain view of professional, so do I. Others may hold similar or dissimilar views, if the majority of members hold views contrary to yours and decide to withdraw their labour temporarily reasoning that they are not being respected as either human beings or professional then that view will prevail. What you then do is a matter for you. I have yet to see where I contradict myself but I am sure you will enlighten me.
Re the BA/Unite dispute, I only know as much as you do having read it on here. As far as I can see, BA CC are represented by BASSA, a BA section within Unite and the decisions are being made by them as opposed to them being dictated by Unite. I have insufficient information on this dispute to form a view never mind comment on it. I was unaware of Unite being seen as a radical union.
You suggest that my posts have an undertone of confrontation, my intent has always been quite the opposite, that is why I mentioned the positive role that unions can play in companies, especially in times of dowturn. Every worker in this country simply wants to go to work in dignity and be paid fairly in addition to seeing their company thrive. That is far from confrontational.
Re your 2nd para, I stand by what I have posted previously.