I have been in EZY for 4 years. I am ex Big so had my career elsewhere. I have a final salary pension from my previous employer. I was a DEC when I joined EZY. I have always been at the base of my choice. A BIG FAT CAT I hear you say and I agree with you.
I have just joined BALPA in EZY. Why? I was always in BALPA in my previous employer but never joined BALPA in EZY. I did not join because I was never impressed by the BALPA set up in EZY and most certainly not impressed by some of the individuals involved. So why join now, its costing me £50 a month or so and I am 'time expired' next year. Well in my time in the company I have seen the work force turned into two groups one at the bottom who struggle with huge loans and reduced salaries and the Fat Cats at the other end who have had their careers elsewhere and EZY is just a retirement job. I am concerned about all groups but particularly the people in the middle. These are the very fine people who want a career airline where they do not have to keep looking over their shoulder at management trying to stab them in the back and having to spend their days off filling in application forms and worrying their families about having to move on.
We all know the issues involved at present. 1) An appalling pay offer 2) An appalling TRSS scheme 3) an appalling base transfer policy 4) an appalling promotion system 5) an appalling rostering system 6) and much more. However the most dreadful thing is an appalling flight operations management who may have been very good with four aircraft but who are frankly nothing short of inept with 100+.
I have joined BALPA to get my chance to tick the box when the question is asked. When I leave I want to feel that I have left something worthwhile for the excellent people that I fly with.
So to you people out there who are still undecided remember you do not get a chance to make a difference (tick the box) if you are not in BALPA. The company only recognises BALPA and you have to join to have your say. Believe me I am not happy with this situation but it is the only way. Remember you people in the IPA and T&G, remember you ex DAN AIR pilots who hate BALPA for what you perceive BALPA did to you, you only get a tick in the box if you join BALPA. Remember you pilots in the European Bases that they are trying to reduce your wages, you only get a tick in the box if you join BALPA.
This is the watershed for the pilots in EZY and if you do not make the effort now then you cannot complain in the future. 1% is a lot of money even with tax relief but if you care about the future of the pilot force within EZY then you have to join and if asked to, vote. This is a rich company who can well afford what is being asked