Ex BALPA rep of 15 years. Am now an IPA member. I gave BALPA the shirt off my back. They took and they took. Been shoved under a bus by them in return, the changes at HQ and the leadeship of my CC and NEC was enough. The subs wasted on internal matters of defending narcissistic people in BALPA is jaw dropping. Also couldn’t take any more lectures from BA on how it should be done and all their little CC tantrums dictating the argument with them threatening to break away and start their own union if they don’t get their own way - it’s like watching the Tories rip themselves apart over Brexit. Then they pushed the best NO under a bus whilst the Narcissist walks about with a swagger.
All that said, any newbie I fly with gets told to be in BALPA from me. The IPA do what I expect of them and from experience, they do it well, with actual employees, not well meaning volunteer reps who did a course at Bath road with a hangover paid for by your subs. BALPA needs to change. They can win back my membership anytime, balls in their court.
oh, IPA membership has never been higher in my company. Our BALPA CC are currently teaching our employer a lesson by not engaging with
them. They seem hell bent on teaching their members the same lesson. My head is in my hands - and before anyone jumps on the standard band wagon - I gave BALPA a decade and a half of service as Rep
in various roles. Myself and my family had nothing left to give.