Originally Posted by
Chesty Morgan
Having experienced the bad side of BALPA I chose to leave. I'm quite happy with the IPA who have supported me more than BALPA ever did. Oh, it's just a bonus that they're a lot cheaper. I would still have left BALPA if the IPA were more expensive to join. But, nice try.
Hi Chesty,
When you were a member of BALPA and dissatisfied, did you stand for election to your CC?
If so, were you elected and what positive change did you manage?
If not, have you managed to improve the Union from outside of it?
A union is only as strong as its membership is willing to be.
A Company Council is only as good as those willing to stand for election.
If you personify Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty & Leadership, then you will make an excellent BALPA representative.
Your democratically elected union representatives negotiate pay, terms & conditions. They spend hours voluntarily representing their colleagues to improve scheduling, rostering and the vagaries of FRMS. They accompany colleagues when summoned to various types of meetings with management & HR.
They spend enormous amounts of time re-negotiating and improving policies.
They shine light on the failings of systems & departments ensuring senior management are aware of the people tasks are delegated to.
Bigger BALPA have managed to persuade the Inland Revenue to support the best Fixed Rate Expenses Allowance in any profession in the UK. If you receive holiday pay at your UK airline that was also won through an extraordinarily expensive legal action for all professional pilots in the UK.
BALPA has a number of ongoing campaigns. Work that the wider industry and the traveling public will benefit from.
These are just the tip of the iceberg.
Initially, BALPA membership will be 0.5% of basic. A year Later, 0.75%. A further year you'll settle on 1.0%.
Establish what the last pay deal was, each of its intricacies. Then find out what managements opening offer was.
Is BALPA membership worth it? Only you can decide.
The website is easy to find.
It is disappointing to hear that your Company Council has not been afforded the opportunity to speak to new joiners. However, I'm confident that if you are motivated to do so, you can track someone down who will offer you an informed perspective from your CC.