The 1% that is paid by the individual has to streatch in many directions.
The legal department who looks after the interests of those unfortunate few who are being victimised, or who are fighting for their professional survival, is a very costly department spending large sums for advice and sometimes litigation.
The running cost of the Heathrow and Gatwick offices, the salaries and benefits of their employees etc. (No office north of the Watford Gap yet though)
Like many members I pay my 1% monthly and seem to be forgoten in the rush to the bank.
The company for whom I work has no PLC, no acknowledgement of BALPA and a growing weariness of paying so much for so little, infact more people are considering leaving BALPA because of the costs than those who wish to join. (TGWU and IPF look out here we come)
Why should we pay so much of our salary when others offer much the same service for less.
The old system recently changed gave a discount of 0.1% for non PLC companies, why so little a reduction the true cost of running a PLC is much higher, taking into consideration the expenses of the members travelling to and from the meetings, their food whilst there etc.
I suggest that if BALPA wish to keep their members that the introductory half price membership be expanded to include members who's company do not recognise BALPA or whose workforce do not wish to to be represented by BALPA.
As to the question of tax relief upon subscriptions, this is where BALPA can help its members, by directly agreeing with the tax office that subscriptions are a deductable expence.
But what has BALPA done for its membership since various tax offices reduced the allowance that was in place with several companies ?.
Perhaps it is better to approach the tax office individually, I should like comments from individuals on this subject.
I hear that TGWU and IPF subscriptions are allowed against tax.
For those members of BALPA the union is yours and should reflect the wishes of the members and not just a few individuals.
Vote for your PLC and ensure that their views reflect the wishes of your members.