I am a little dismayed as to how many people seem to think their 1% (Less tax of course) is only there for people to negotiate their pay.
I was unfortunate enough, in a previous life, to be involved in an incident that had potentially disastrous consequences for my Captain and, to a lesser degree, myself. I can categorically say that, had it not been for our 1%s, we would have been most definately 'on our bikes'. The Balpa support and influence on the hearings was immense and not only did we keep our jobs but went on to bigger and posssibly better things.
Since that day, I have always viewed my contribution as primarily for my own job insurance in case something, through no deliberate fault of my own, happens to threaten my livelihood.
Please stop thinking of this as 1% just for volunteer pay negotiators - it's more than that!
btw. Someone once told me that if a company offered or planned a 1% pay rise (for example) and Balpa got that up to 2%, then that effectively paid your fees for the rest of your time with that company.
Worth a thought!
At least with Balpa you get the chance to vote. Without them you would have had somewhat less I guess and no vote whatsoever!!