Bottom line… engineers and deck officers cannot get along.
Individually they might but I am talking groups and group think here.
They will never form a single union… why? because of the fundamental difference in work profiles.
Engineers stay down below and have to keep things moving at all times. That is their job.
Deck officers are managers. Herein is the bone of contention. Engrs don’t like being down below. They might say they do but the don’t or else you would see more C/E’s not sitting on the fat of their asses. You cannot like working with your hands at your convenience.
No engineer should ever be paid more than management PERIOD.
The mechanics of herds.
Ask an engr to join AMO and the answer is a straight up “I AM AN ENGINEER”.