I reproduce this for the benefit of flybygirl and the other girl pilot shortly. You both need to understand the strength of feeling that some of our people have. I am not saying that I totally agree with these views but I do think you need to read them as I assume you do not have access to the AOA web site.
"I too hope that we can resolve this dispute without such drastic measures but am beginning to believe that severe industrial action is our only hope.
12 months ago the company tried to intimidate me and my family by firing 51 people. What they succeeded in doing was to turn a moderate wife into a militant one who was so disgusted by mgt's behaviour that she is willing to move heaven and earth to ensure they do not get away with it.
I am afraid I am at a loss to understand the political position of Phil and his supporters. We are all a little scared, we are all certainly a little tired and frustrated. But to believe the same people who fired 51 colleagues are capable of genuine negotiation, to give them the benefit of the doubt, to honestly believe that a well-intentioned chat will have any impact at all, is more naive than I thought possible.
I spoke to the wife of a 49er a few weeks ago who was feeling pretty isolated and was worried about the upcoming election and the fact that Phil and his supporters on CPRUNE seemed more concerned about their "secure" jobs than they did about the plight of her family. I promised her that there were many more people in the AOA who would see this though and make sure her family regained their security and future. I promised her I would NEVER give up and would continue to fight for her family with the same determination as I would my own.
I stand by that promise. If that means we have to strike, then we strike...at least we will be able to sleep with a clear conscience knowing that we did everything humanly possible to keep our word, our dignity and our promise."