The previous mention was of BALPA refusing to take on a case of trying to jump a bond. Well frankly you would be asking them to take on a case that they know they couldn't win.
Bonds are perfectly legal and all the guff and nonsense about things like restriction of trade is just that, utter guff.
No lawyer will happily take on case where there is no chance of victory. BALPA are no different in that respect.
Rainboe. Would BALPA be better off without people like me? Would it sh*te. I have my eyes wide open and understand that BALPA isn't perfect and could be a shed load better than it is, but that didn;t stop me fighting like hell to get BALPA recognised at a previous company. They helped me massively when the company went on the offensive and tried to "fit me up" and ensured I got a very nice cheque and a clean record.
They could be better, but without any other realistic option, you are better off in than out.
The CC in any company ARE BALPA. They might not feel they get all the support they may need, but what are they asking for? BALPA to do their job for them? You and I are the union, this isn't about sitting on your backside expecting someone else to look after you. As an individual you should be trying to sort yourself and your fellow pilots out as best as possible. A union is just a mechanism to help organise this. Nothing more.
If the CC don't get the support of the members, then they can do nothing. They can be very effective as long as everyone stands together and that they are the right people to do the job.