Unfortunately it seems that North Sea Phantom is correct. We can bicker amongst ourselves we can whinge but it will get us nowhere. Until Bristow pilots see the light and realise that BALPA is the only forum that can possibly work we are p.....g into wind. At present with our pathetically low membership, the company management are laughing. Divide and conquer will be their theme and gentlemen, "watch this space". "Special deals" to parts of the workforce will screw a huge portion of the work force. Admittedly market forces will eventually dictate our pay but by then it may well be to late.
Our negotiations are with our own company management. Those of you out there saying it is a real world out there, you are damned right, but don't accept the paltry pay rises we are being bludgeoned with. The oil companies WILL pay WHATEVER they have to in order to service their industry. Our costs are a ripple in the ocean in comparison to their corporate profits. Come on North Sea Pilots lets get unified and give our union some power and ourselves some decent pay and conditions.