A CoC that doesn't command and 'workers representatives' who increasingly take over more and more of the day to day running of the operation. In next to no time the British Armed Forces could stand proudly by the other commanding heights of the Nationalised Industries that were named British (Rail, Transport, Steel, Gas, Telecom etc).
How negative! The same people who are interested in a representative Federation are those who are relied upon to do their duty in unpleasant places at great risk to life and limb. If they cannot be trusted to represent their own interests with regard to terms and conditions of service, then how can they be trusted to carry out their duties? That smacks of an anachronistic view of the Armed Forces dating back to the height of the Cold War! Our people deserve better.
I don't think the CoC necessarily has a negative view. A Federation could raise legitimate welfare issues outwith the CoC without impinging on operational effectiveness, to the material and morale benefit of all. When officers of the calibre of Air Marshal Lord Garden support the concept, the idea that the CoC will have an automatic opposition to a Federation is simply not tenable. The main opposition will be from politicians and senior civil servants/special advisors who will object mainly because a Federation may provide a contrary view to the Panglossian corporate communications machinery of Whitehall. Events in Afghanistan have demonstrated that what is spun by the MoD can be somewhat different from reality and, when there is a monopoly on media contact, there is little that can be said to the contrary (although the new CGS appears to be made of sterner stuff than his predecessors when it comes to telling uncomfortable truths!)
These are the 10 Points that form the core values of BAFF:
1. A professional staff association is to be formed for members of Her Majesty’s Forces under the provisional title of the BRITISH ARMED FORCES FEDERATION (BAFF).
2. Comparable bodies have for years served the armed forces of allied countries such as the United States and Australia, with official co-operation and no negative impact on operational effectiveness or military discipline. The proposed federation is, however, designed to be a specifically British solution for the British armed forces. It will reflect and respect the ethos and robust traditions of the three fighting services. It will meet all requirements of British military and other law, including international conventions adopted by the United Kingdom.
3. The federation’s mission shall be to represent, foster and promote the professional, welfare, and other legitimate interests of all members of the federation in their capacity as serving or retired personnel of the fighting services of the United Kingdom, and in so doing help to maximise operational efficiency and improve the retention of trained personnel.
4. The federation will be a democratic representative institution answerable to its members. Membership of the federation will be open to all personnel irrespective of rank, branch of service or gender. The main membership categories will be Ordinary Membership (Regular), Ordinary Membership (Reserve Forces) and Veteran Membership. In responding to the requirements of its members, the federation will act in the interests of all serving personnel and veterans but will not countenance any pressure on individuals to join.
5. Within resources, the activities of the federation may include:
(a) professional and career development by the provision of education and information;
(b) liaison, monitoring and response to proposals or developments within the Services, in Parliament, in the provision of public services or in the commercial sector which have a specific impact on forces personnel;
(c) appropriate advocacy and consultation to protect and improve the conditions of service life including pay, accommodation, medical and welfare services, resettlement and all other areas of personnel support;
(d) appropriate support to personnel facing court martial or other legal proceedings in connection with their service (the federation will not normally comment on any specific case within the systems of military justice and administrative discipline); and
(e) the negotiation for members of a range of insurance, financial and other benefits, discounts or affinity deals.
6. The federation will not be beholden to any political party, pressure group, or defence industry interest. While supporting the cross-party consensus on the need for robust, adequately-funded but cost-effective forces serving the Nation as determined by the Government of the day, the federation will not be a defence pressure group. The federation will not take a view on matters of defence strategy or operational decisions, although it may raise legitimate subsidiary matters affecting personnel. Parliamentary liaison will be strictly on a cross-party basis.
7. The federation will not be a trade union and, above all, it will not conduct or condone any form of industrial action or insubordination within the armed forces. The federation affirms the vital role of the Armed Forces chain of command in representing the interests of its personnel. The federation will seek to agree with the Ministry of Defence appropriate mechanisms for the exchange of information with the chain of command as well as centrally. A code of conduct will be adopted, and potential disagreements will normally be raised centrally to avoid placing serving personnel in difficulty with their chain of command, or vice versa. The federation will act to protect serving members in their federation-related activities within the agreed code of conduct.
8. The federation will not seek to supplant the role of any existing charity or other agency involved in service welfare. Where appropriate the federation may help to direct members to appropriate sources of advice or assistance.
9. Work is already under way on matters such as the structure and legal format of the federation, and staffing. A business plan is being prepared.
10. This draft statement of intent outlines the basic principles established so far. Work continues on detailed aspects of the proposals with a view to wider consultation throughout the armed forces community, and with the Ministry of Defence. This update was added in May 06:
A. The detailed organisation and functions of the federation will naturally depend to some extent on whether it is established under legislation, or as an entirely independent body.
B. The BAFF Steering Group welcomes recent parliamentary support for the federation concept. If legislation is put forward in the future, the Steering Group will be pleased to work with all stakeholders on the development of detailed provisions.
C. As matters stand the Steering Group is not unilaterally seeking the abolition of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body, or the direct involvement of the federation in Administrative Action or Redress of Grievance procedures. The initial service and communications structure of the federation will not be dependent on a comprehensive network of local representatives.
http://www.baff.org.uk/10%20Point%20Plan.html