There in lies the problem; members are paying a subscription to BALPA, and in return they are getting the services of dedicated volunteers working in their spare time! It does not seem to be fair on both parties; at the very least CC representatives should draw some financial reward to reflect the time and effort they give for the members benefit, and before you ask, I am not CC. I know they volunteer, but the motives for doing so are to seek the best improvement iaw the economic climate.
It would be nice if the system was somewhat different with the CC overseeing day to day matters, and BALPA itself negotiating annual renumerations/pay and conditions, with individual company circumstances in mind.
Where BALPA have let themselves down in the past is with regards to the CC negotiating away benefits for some of their members (F/O's Loyalty Bonus etc) which has led to the perception that certain elements of the membership are being asked to make sacrifices for the benefit of other elements of the membership. Whether true, or not, perception is everything, and this has resulted in sporadic membership levels to the benifit of the company; BALPA needs to be more Cameron/Blair and appeal to every member and maintain a constant high level of membership by implementing and delivering fair renumeration and safe rostering agreements for everyone.
I am a recent member of BALPA, after 10 years in civil aviation; the reason I never joined before was because of its apparent lack of effectiveness; this was always countered by 'we need the membership'; it now has the membership and it is more important than ever that it now delivers! Ironically, having only just joined I am somewhat impatient with some of my colleagues who remain outside BALPA and feel they are unable to support the present struggle, the outcome of which I am sure they will benefit from very nicely!