It is amazing how indoctrinated some are by Ryanair. It is almost as we are looking at a Stockholm syndrome here... You talk about BALPA as some kind of selfish organization striving to implement its will at the cost of base closures/ job reductions etc. It is not BALPA threatening to close bases, not BALPA freezing command upgrades and erroding T&C.
BALPA is a long term commitment to achieve respect and negotiated (as the term really means) T&C for the employees of one of the most successful airlines in Europe. MOL copied his business strategy from a well known carrier across the pond (who is very well liked by its employees I might add!!) and added a twist of ruthlessness and
all attitude. Ryanair will not stop. The company was born fighting (against air lingus) and that is the only way they know. It is how they work.
Some of you are so overwhelmed by your precious 5/4 roster and your dream base that you would sacrifice almost anything for it. The solidarity within the company is so appallingly low that it disgusts me. So you joined the company with 0 experience and has now risen to a point where you feel comfy. You feel that it's your "turn" as you sacrificed so much by paying for your rating, working for half pay etc and now you finally ended up in the base you want with an amazing 5/4 roster. Good for you. One day you will, eventually, sit with MOL's fist so far stuck up your arse gasping at the impossible: your 5/4 roster is gone and you are being shipped to a base where u don't want to be. Most likely, you would probably still be satisfied in some twisted way...
I think most people who are against the BALPA recognition campaign are really just afraid of pissing off Ryanair. Surely, you can't be against what BALPA is trying to achieve?!? It's is really time to grow a spine. It is time to start thinking about everybody. Not just yourself and your "unique" 5/4 roster. This is war and war has casualties. Ryanair is a bad ass tough opponent and the employees (not just the pilots) will never have any rights or terms with whiners who are afraid to stand their ground. Are you not at all curious about what BALPA can achieve?
To all employees of FR:
You are worth a lot better terms and a lot more respect and than you are enjoying today. You have an opportunity to make a difference. Take it!