Liquid Charlie wrote: labour does not work in any company where there isn't a hard core group of pilots who are planning to stay with that company forever -- also from the day you organize to the day you have a very good contract could be as much as 10 to 15 years -- people cry union all the time but when it comes down to it only about 1% actually are willing to do the work --
You are right, it does take a core group that sticks together and yes very little are ready to do the work it takes. But this people exist in most places.
For the rest I disagree with you.
First, it only takes one or two key people that wish to get involved when negotiations come up.
Two, communication is the key, most structured pilots groups within companies do now communicate through secret facebook groups or in other ways. And it is pretty efficient.
For the rest, this forum proves it, everyone is angry about wages and work conditions never changing.
You don't need pilots to stick around for more than 2-3 years at the same place, as long as you are able to share the culture and your concern about work conditions, what was gained and what needs to be achieved. That is what cockpits are for.
The hardest part is get the union going, when the core structure is established, it is surprising how people get easly involved and interested.
