Houdini, Couldn't agree more. However, I am at a base that did turn up to a Balpa meeting, told them that we weren't happy in no uncertain terms and awaited the result from the next meeting they had with management in ABZ. Next we knew it had all been agreed after a pilots meeting up North.
Coming from a base with the highest proportion of pilots in BALPA we were not even given the courtesy of a meeting to see if we agreed with the proposals. (Which we didn't)!!! The ones who should be ashamed are those pilots living North of the border who showed no backbone for the situation. They had proved once that it works when it came to an unfair roster, but when the issue of pay and harmonisation came up seemed to turm over and let management tickle thier tummies!!!
This leaves those of us in the South in an awkward situation:-
We joined BALPA hoping that they would sort the pay and harmonisation mess out. They agree a deal with the company which they think is fair for the industry average and this is agreed to by its membership in Aberdeen but is seen as misrepresentation South of the border. Our argument is therefore no longer with the company but with BALPA itself who just seem to want to take our money and go for the easy option. Do we therefore leave BALPA in protest (and as a result give ourselves an extra 1%). This, however, will not get rid of BALPA as the recognised Union even if its company wide membership falls below the 50% threshold. This infact would give the management more scope to reduce pay and conditiions further.
So tell me- Which way would you go??????