everyone in the union is equal, but reps are more equal than others
Spot on. The reps are no longer the elected representatives of the union members. The mandated election was suspended before the first aborted 12 days of Christmas fiasco until the dispute is settled. As DH cannot stand for re-election as he is no longer employed by BA, (the same is true for some other reps) there is no will within the BASSA reps to settle this dispute as it means the end of their power. For DH it also means the end of a lucrative source of revenue. The reps no longer have any interest in the democratic rights or wishes of the their members, this is all about personal power and influence.