jtr do you really want to go back to basics? The AOA in the spirit of self benefit rolled over and played dead with:
1. No assistance (of any value) to the flight attendants during their dispute.
2. The introduction of B scales - I'm alright Jack.
3. The introduction of ASL - ditto.
4. Lets not forget the Airbus fiasco.
During this period they mounted ineffectual campaigns one after another with the 49ers being the result. The company rightly realised that they were dealing with a self interested, amateur incompetent bunch of moaners. The more modern Union understanding is that you must maintain negotiations and accept whatever compromise that stops the company forcing a decision on you. But being more inclined to the Arthur Scargill school of Unionism well there you go. There is no effective pilot union now, the company could do almost whatever it pleased. Until we get a more enlightened group to lead us we are in deep doodoo. So whether you roll over or not you may not affect the outcome.