Originally Posted by sjm
"What makes it such a strong result is not just the vote itself but the turnout figures!"
Can anyone explain why the balpa membership is so low in baby and do you think the baby vote would have carried as much weight without the other two votes.
I assume that the minority at baby see the job as a stepping stone to other things. As a result the 'turnover' of pilots is much greater than mainline and to a certain extent regional. When you join an airline initially, and getting that first jet rating that you always craved for, keeps the satisfaction level up a little. Satisfaction and BALPA membership are inversely proportional.
A 72% in favour is a significant YES vote in itself and can't be undermined. It just happens that the other two were massive endorsements of the pay claims in their respective corners.
Originally Posted by sjm
Surely Balpa should now launch a recruitment offensive on the back of the recent success. I have to admit that I am amazed Balpa were sat in crewrooms trying to get people to join up, when even if they did they were unable to vote and so seemed a pointless exercise.
If people did not get off their lazy @rses before the ballot, they are unlikely to do so now that the mandates are safe in the BALPA back pocket. There will always be the selfish individuals in every airline that will take everything and give back nothing, but I'm glad to say that they are in the minority.
Originally Posted by sjm
I would have liked to have seen this proactive recruitment weeks before the ballot papers went out in order to ensure a high percentage of the company could at least vote!
The doors at BALPA have always been open, (and still are) If you don't want to be 'scab labour' I suggest you get your application in pronto. It is the only protection you are going to get and don't expect any sympathy from the boys (and girls) standing on the picket lines.