i will open by saying i am not anti union, and this is purely MY experience.
i find unions will do pretty much like everyone else out there – they will take care of those that PAY THEM THE MOST. the railways are mentioned as well catered for – dare i say they contribute more in dues than the ROV industry.
if the ROV’rs want help, i think theyve got 2 options.
1. greatly increase payment of dues to the union for their assistance – therefore i suggest a negotiation to take on your case – would probably be very costly.
2. a mass walkout, where the situation is made very clear, the crowd hold firm and then maybe, if the bigboys deem you irreplaceable, you’ll get somewhere id say – again very costly, in terms of lost income during the strike.
i assume everyone would have their local similarities, but from an OZ point of view, look up the shearers strike of the 1950’s – they got what they wanted – eventually.