I believe that at XJT, lifers are the small minority. I also believe that lifers are at least 49.9% or less at ANY regional, making them the minority.
Regardless, even if these people made up the entire MEC and all committee positions, it wouldn't make a difference on forcing any other MEC to negotiate something that is not in the sole interest of said MECs.
I agree that we are a minority, but in a way, so are you...Let me explain.
There are roughly 3 groups in any issue
1. Pro
2. Con
3. Apathetic, don't really care.
All 3 groups are technically "minorities", as no group has 50%+1...
In the situation we are speaking of here, lets say for argument sake that:
1. 35% at ASA want to grow and get bigger airplanes.
2. 40% at ASA want ASA to shrink so that mainline can get bigger...Assuming that is what would happen if we shrunk, which I don't think would happen.
3. 25% at ASA don't get involved, or need growth so that they can upgrade and move on to the majors.
The numbers above are estimates, and are +or-, but probably pretty close.
In addition, you of all people probably understand what it takes for a union to be successful. Simply put, a union isn't going to go anywhere if 35% of the members are pulling in a different direction, and another sizeable percentage don't care one way or the other....I'll give you that your group is the largest of the 3 minorities, but when I and the other "lifers" pull in a different direction, don't expect your side to get it's way either....
There are mutually agreeable solutions that can probably satisfy BOTH sides in this debate...But I doubt that will happen...