I know for a fact that since Nov 25th (2 week period) there have been at least 83 new joiners out of a total of about 1200 pilots. I would fully expect that to grow substantially over the next few weeks. What level we are actually at in terms of final numbers remains to be seen. If we obtain 70%+ membership then my own view is that we will win an acceptable deal without too much fight. The danger is that we are pushed into a battle without the necessary support from our colleagues.
This is in essence a battle for the hearts and minds of the pilots. Ultimately if there are sufficient pilots working for easyJet who are either indifferent to their future prospects, feel BALPA is a 'British' thing or just hold onto longstanding grievances against previous BALPA failings then we will lose. The bizarre thing is that the maximum density of BALPA membership appears to be at the London bases. These are the folks who stand to gain most from any redistribution of wealth arising from the introduction of 'London weightings' and reduced mainland European salaries. Yet they are the very people getting most behind the efforts of the CC - and that is not to take away from the membership at other bases, without whom no battle would be possible. I do not know the level of membership in Germany and France, but I sincerely hope that the pilots there join up virtually en-masse. They are the guys with most to lose from easyJet's proposals and right now it is vital that BALPA enjoy the support of all pilots at easyJet. In the final analysis, the easyJet pilots who do not join BALPA at this critical stage in our history will find themselves totally to blame for the final result of this dispute.
To any doubters out there, just remember that the managers at easyJet will use one factor alone to decide whether or not to fight it out with the pilots - BALPA membership levels and absolutely nothing else. That is the acid test of the genuine willingness of the pilots to fight - I for one am willing to step up to the plate to ensure that easyJet's success benefits all employees and not just a few. I hope many others will follow.