Both Houdini and Chopperman are consistent in their supposed paranoia that we are currently being set up by the management. Let us look at FACTS as they have occurred.
An organisation that was basically structured for its workforce to negotiate through union representation, merged/took-over an organisation within which union recognition was not permitted. They only conciliation within that organisation was that of a Staff Council. The MD of this enlarged organisation stated that he would only negotiate with a single union on behalf of the pilot workforce. That union was BALPA. The combined workforce was not canvassed as to which union they wanted to represent them or consulted about this matter at all. It was the MANAGEMENT DECISION that it would be BALPA. Additionally, the previous Staff Council was now no longer accepted or recognised. In fact the dissolution of the Staff Council again was not discussed with the workforce. It is even debatable about the lack of adherence to the constitutional format of the Staff Council in the manner in which it was dissolved. The decision that the single negotiating party would be BALPA was a management decision.
Speaking for myself and I feel sure for a lot of the RED team who were not sure about union procedures and the like felt that now we were under the umbrella of professional negotiators the best deal would be achieved. By best, most of us did not feel that the short-term benefit was all that had to be achieved. What was more important was the stability of the long-term future for the merged company. I know how most expected the salary differential to be adjusted. (However, this would then dissect the “disharmonisation” negotiations – suggest that someone start a new thread on that if you wish).
The only noticeable aspect at this time was the lack of any information coming from either the management or BALPA, and that to BALPA members as well as non-BALPA staff. In my naivety, along with that of most RED team members, we thought after the initial negotiations had taken place we would be told what was on the table and would be canvassed or at least have a say about it. This was not the case. The BALPA team agreed terms with the management without any consultation with the workforce. It is true that the RED team were flat-footed, as we had expected to have some communication from the negotiators about the negotiations. This was worse than our previous non-union structure. At least in those days we did at least have a voice and know that at least we were listened to, admittedly not always getting what we may have wanted, but were told the reasoning for it.
Now we are presented with a deal that we did not have a say in and bluntly told that is it. The BALPA negotiator now joins the same management team that stated that it would only negotiate with BALPA.
To then find out that this is the FOURTH member of BALPA to join an organisation that they have been just negotiating with and BALPA have done nothing to correct this I find more than worrying.
For you Chopperman to say BALPA as an organisation has its faults I think is an understatement! You then state that WE are the union and the representatives are there as representatives of our feelings. That is perhaps as it SHOULD BE. That is how we all THOUGHT it should be. In reality what happened. How many can say that they were told what was being discussed in the negotiations? How many were canvassed before BALPA agreed to the harmonisation? What consultation process took place with the members? You then glibly talk about us directing the Company Council as to whether they talk with the new administration management member from BALPA. To direct someone requires communication. What communication has there been during the harmonisation discussions/negotiations? I’m sorry I naively once put my trust in this organisation and got firmly kicked in the teeth for it. For you to further state in your posting that “…a management team who would only be to(o) glad to see the back of BALPA…”, remember it is THIS management team that ENSURED that BALPA would be the only single negotiator! I ask you why? You could ask if it is not better to deal with a lame duck than someone with teeth. At least the engineering division within the organisation seems to have a union who is standing up for ALL of the members in their harmonisation negotiations and I’m sure that that division will have long-term stability once they finally sort it out. Wish I could say the same about the pilot workforce.