Loved that last line....
"I might, just might, be willing to pitch in..."
Seems a bit rich to say you're going to examine a union to see if its worthy of your support first. How about joining and supporting BALPA to ensure that all pilots get a fair go...did it ever cross your mind that one day some other pilot might need your help? That is...giving...not just taking! Leave the ego in the locker I think.
I won't bore you with the Oxford definition of "Union" but it seems most likely to be something of a two way street.
Every bit of progress in aviation has benefitted the ones who followed the innovators and pioneers...just consider union membership as "payback time"...and maybe you could actually contribute without having to hear the cash register bell first!