However, in our company, BALPA is the recognised negotiator for crew, so by choosing not to support your negotiator, then you are undermining their bargaining on your behalf. Pure fact. If we had membership at the levels they enjoy in Virgin, we probably wouldnt be in this dilemma now.
Fully agree!
Unfortunately BALPA takes a bit of a back seat when it comes to recruiting, especially at bases outside the UK. According to some mates of mine that are based in ORY and SXF, BALPA never shows their face in these places and membership is very low. Most pilots there have very little faith in BALPA and just stay member of their former employer´s union (i.e. ex-Aerolloyd and ex-Sabena) for legal coverage.
With BSL as a new base, maybe it´s time to get their @sses in gear and wake up!