As an FO I can confirm the very low morale. The basic rule about RYR is, if they give advice favouring on opting out, then don't. Its only to screw you.
One thing I would highly recommend is joining REPAweb.org. A private forum for RYR pilots and I would highly recommend you join IALPA (most contractors do), look at REPAweb, I think its 15 quid a month for FOs and around 30 for CPTs (could be wrong on the skippers rate). The only way to improve and protect your current contract is by an association if you don't then I guarantee you in 4 years time if you are still RYR you will be earning less than your current contract now. Ask any FO or CPT who has done several years for proof. For example RYR 2000 agreement had an FO earning upto 74k in 2005. In our current year, that same FO now makes 33% of that.
Remember bring a water bottle!
