We need professional help, even if it costs. I think most members would happily increase their subs if it meant that we had someone at the table meeting CX at their level.
Wobblywonka....we are not "owed" a living by anyone, but if we sign a contract to do a job for set conditions then that should not change continually in the employer's favour. It is because of people like you with that attitude of "capitulate, quick, before I lose even more" that we are in this position.
I will always be a member of the AOA because they do need support, but as far as I am concerned they are essentially useless, as well intentioned as they may be. I am sick and tired of trying to defend them and sell them to new joiners as so far as I can make out they have done barely anything, other than continually send us weekly whingeing emails, to better our lot. Sure, they point out all the Company's wrongdoings but they do NOTHING to effectively change things.
I will be flamed now, but I don't care. When the AOA actually make a TANGIBLE gain...or even just a save....I will applaud them. But until then I will simply continue to delete their weekly updates which merely serve to inform the members of how toothless they are and do my job as per contract, nothing more, nothing less.