The NSPA was chaired by Carl Mason who was with British Caledonian Helicopters. He was not taken on by Bristows when BCHL were bought out by them in November 1987 – nor were any 1977 Bristow pilot strike participants – and Carl went fixed wing in a training role at Prestwick.
As you will see from my profile I am thankfully no longer active in the North Sea, but the arguments you guys are putting forward are nothing new and have been the talk of crewrooms since we put the first Whirlwind out to a rig. The problem with the NSPA was that it was never going to be recognised by the employers and could never have any clout, but I was one of the founder members just the same. At least you have BALPA recognised now across all the North Sea helicopter operators, although you all have a right to be critical about how one of BALPA’s employees can be “negotiating” on your behalf just prior to starting employment with that operator.
BALPA Company Councils must have the support of their members. If you don’t think they are doing enough for you then volunteer yourselves. BALPA is a long way from being perfect and a long way from understanding the North Sea helicopter industry. BALPA is only as good as the sum of its members – if you don’t like what they are doing tell them!! Running away and resigning from BALPA, or thinking of resurrecting the NSPA, plays right into the management’s hands. BALPA is all you’ve got – make it work!
There seems to be some misconception that the managements of the helicopter companies are obliged to look after their employees and offer a career structure. A few years ago I wrote to the Directors in my Company and said that their policies were going to tear the heart out of the middle experience pilots in their 30’s to the point where they would all go fixed-wing. Their answer was that they did not intend to offer salaries and structure that would compete with the airlines and they accepted that once pilots completed their six-year bond they would leave. They are just not interested in providing you with a career structure.
You guys have to realise that you are unfortunately just cannon fodder in the eyes of your management. If your bum moves out of the seat someone else will fill it and be only too glad of the job. The bean counters are all that matters. The only way you are going to have any impact is to all go on a legal strike together and bring the transportation of passengers to a halt. It will unfortunately never happen. There will always be those with a misguided sense of company loyalty as history has proved in the past.