I need to find employment to have that luxury Vexed.
I think there is a place for unions, collective bargaining can and does work when it is done correctly. However to answer the question you posed, at present if hypothetically employed I fear I'd have to piggy back on the more experienced pilots in the company who had more sway, established relationships and respect. The current climate isn't one where the last guy in the door can go making demands/issuing edicts.
My solution to the current mire (yes I say mire) is that the current leadership either need to re-evaluate their position or overhaul their strategy. Maybe then the loopholes would be plugged, the bigger pictures looked at, intelligence and forward thought applied to negotiations and initiatives put in place to safeguard pilots.
As Daddy-Oh pointed out in the Poll thread I started, "an Inter City Train Driver & a non-BA Airline Captain has diminished to almost parity", I would be interested to know the differences between these two roles salaries and benefits packages at 10/20/30 year intervals from today. What that shows me at a first glance is that there are some transport workers who have effective representation and some who don't.
If you are expecting me to have a prepared solution then I have to admit I don't (if I was looking to be elected to general secretary then perhaps I would have a 10 year plan and a manifesto) - as a disgruntled pilot I am venting steam on a forum designed to foster debate and discussion.
I was unaware those posting on the (picked randomly from current T&E forum, page 1) "Jet4You Casablanca Roster" would offer a better method for the crewing department to adopt, or those highlighting "Highland Airways" woes would offer a financial recovery plan.
It happens often on here that if you find fault with something then you are asked to give an alternative or solution. Why exactly? Does my lack of solutions make my comments so far not carry any weight or is there a lack of truth in my accusations in your eyes?
If I had the answer and solution to all questions then I wouldn't be a pilot, I'd be world leader/deity. Feel free to leave an offering via Paypal.