PM - yes you are correct that is exactly the way BALPA works. But that is not necessarily the way things have to be. BALPA could lead instead of react. It could say to its members "hey these are some issue's which we feel are having a detrimental effect on your working conditions - and we feel that an appropriate response is x,y,z". Other Unions seem capable of looking at issue's which effect their members on a national level.
I made the point that until the BA guys are on board I don't see BALPA taking on some of the bigger issue's because I appreciate that in reality the above is not going to happen. I hope that even BA are coming to see the threat posed by some of the activities of the Loco's and their business model. It will not save you if you are number 1 on the priority list when the whole company goes pop.