Mr Ree
It would be great if Balpa had the gumph to say the deal sucks, vote no, and lets get a better one. But they never do, or is it can't do?
It's nothing to do with BALPA having the gumph to say no....it's about them thinking that what the management offer is not reasonable and having a mandate to escalate beyond negotiation if an empasse is met. That mandate is having sufficient members all wanting more, and prepared to back their CC in the process. The CC will then make a judgement as to whether further manoeuvring using their mandate could yield a positive result. Only then will they recommend a 'No' vote and put the ball back into management's court.
It seems that the Easy pilots have a significant number amongst them who still don't quite understand that this is how it works and it's not a case of BALPA lacking 'gumph', merely that they (your Company Council, NOT BALPA) have no further 'levers' to use to show management that they want more and are prepared to stand united to get it. It's a catch 22 until everyone realises that only through a united front (be it BALPA or any other body) can they actually say 'NO' to a management offer and then be in a position to do something to achieve their demands. All the time non-members try to judge BALPA in easyJet based on results whilst they don't have a mandate, they are bound to think it is not worth 1%. It takes a bit more forethought and some faith.
Good luck to you all.
PP