Its time for Chris Darke to go!
Guest
Posts: n/a
Boeingman,
Good post but 'lobby on our behalf'? What exactly has this lobbying achieved? Did the flagging out stop etc.?????
As I said in my previous post my 1% is for legal cover, I have little confidence in the other potential benefits of membership.
------------------
'Keep the Stress Down'
Good post but 'lobby on our behalf'? What exactly has this lobbying achieved? Did the flagging out stop etc.?????
As I said in my previous post my 1% is for legal cover, I have little confidence in the other potential benefits of membership.
------------------
'Keep the Stress Down'
Guest
Posts: n/a
faq
I too wrote to CD about an issue last year. I had concerns over BALPA's stance on something that affected me. I wrote requesting a reply about a month later and it was only after lobbying a representative that a reply was forthcoming some two and a half months after my first letter by which time the matter had been resolved.
Two unions would be disastrous. Look at Cabin Crew 89 and BASSA in BA.
I remain a member of BALPA and certainly of late there has been a marked difference in attitude/communication from the BA Councils. I am looking for the changes and improvements to continue throughout the organisation so that threads such as this one are unnecessary. Certainly I have no reason to doubt the integrity and commitment of the present BA reps. Certain individuals among the previous incumbents have much to answer for. My concerns now relate to those higher up the chain.
[This message has been edited by M.Mouse (edited 28 March 2001).]
I too wrote to CD about an issue last year. I had concerns over BALPA's stance on something that affected me. I wrote requesting a reply about a month later and it was only after lobbying a representative that a reply was forthcoming some two and a half months after my first letter by which time the matter had been resolved.
Two unions would be disastrous. Look at Cabin Crew 89 and BASSA in BA.
I remain a member of BALPA and certainly of late there has been a marked difference in attitude/communication from the BA Councils. I am looking for the changes and improvements to continue throughout the organisation so that threads such as this one are unnecessary. Certainly I have no reason to doubt the integrity and commitment of the present BA reps. Certain individuals among the previous incumbents have much to answer for. My concerns now relate to those higher up the chain.
[This message has been edited by M.Mouse (edited 28 March 2001).]
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: U K
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Stress Free
" Lobbying on our behalf " is often essential just to maintain the status quo. Our employers are doing this all the time and if we are not there to have our voice heard we will find ourselves outflanked. (P@ssed upon from a great height.)
This is currently going on in BRU with the FTL debate. The unions have been invited to the table to discuss the issue with AEA and other employers organisations with a view to a common FTL for the projected EU OPS. If somebody didn't take up this invite on our behalf heaven knows what scheme would be hatched.
All that might be achieved in the end is the status quo i.e CAP 371...but it will have cost BALPA money in manpower, airfares, hotac etc. Thats another drain on our subs for possibly no gain.
But we have to be there. No one else will fight our corner.
" Lobbying on our behalf " is often essential just to maintain the status quo. Our employers are doing this all the time and if we are not there to have our voice heard we will find ourselves outflanked. (P@ssed upon from a great height.)
This is currently going on in BRU with the FTL debate. The unions have been invited to the table to discuss the issue with AEA and other employers organisations with a view to a common FTL for the projected EU OPS. If somebody didn't take up this invite on our behalf heaven knows what scheme would be hatched.
All that might be achieved in the end is the status quo i.e CAP 371...but it will have cost BALPA money in manpower, airfares, hotac etc. Thats another drain on our subs for possibly no gain.
But we have to be there. No one else will fight our corner.
Guest
Posts: n/a
So, theoretically, how is Mr Darke removed ?
What are the details in his contract regarding his performance, and what sort of lack of performance involves him being penalised by losing his job ?
Who is actually responsible for authorising his huge pay rises - wouldn't mind some of those my self !
Have the rest of the remunerated BALPA officials, full or part time, received similar rises over that period ?
How do Mr. Darke's salary and pay rises compare with that of similar sized unions ?
Why does no-one ask them these and other questions, and post the answers here ?
What are the details in his contract regarding his performance, and what sort of lack of performance involves him being penalised by losing his job ?
Who is actually responsible for authorising his huge pay rises - wouldn't mind some of those my self !
Have the rest of the remunerated BALPA officials, full or part time, received similar rises over that period ?
How do Mr. Darke's salary and pay rises compare with that of similar sized unions ?
Why does no-one ask them these and other questions, and post the answers here ?
Guest
Posts: n/a
Captain Jumbo - it amazes me that the professional pilot's union is afraid of the professional pilot's rumour network. If only somebody from New Road would come on to this thread and address a few of these issues. Dream on!
The conclusion I have reached is that Chris Darke's pay rise is directly related to increases in membership numbers. This would explain Balpa's continued obsession with increasing membership whilst doing little for the existing members.
MORE members = MORE subscriptions =
BIGGER budget = MORE responsibility for the Gen. Sec. = MORE PAY FOR CHRIS DARKE!!!!
Anything that rocks the boat, affects Balpa's chances of recognition and the likelihood of obtaining new members.
This must end NOW. The Gen. Sec's. pay rise must become performance related ie. the mean of the rises obtained by Balpa for its' members.
We need to get rid of Chris Darke asap and replace him with one of the many recently retired airline Captains - someone who understands our needs and concerns and who will provide Balpa with the leadership required to address our issues. Someone who will employ a strong and experienced negotiating team and get results in our favour, for a change.
PS. GB Airways is yet another example of Balpa's poor record in pay negotiations. They have just been sold down the road for a miserly 5%.
The conclusion I have reached is that Chris Darke's pay rise is directly related to increases in membership numbers. This would explain Balpa's continued obsession with increasing membership whilst doing little for the existing members.
MORE members = MORE subscriptions =
BIGGER budget = MORE responsibility for the Gen. Sec. = MORE PAY FOR CHRIS DARKE!!!!
Anything that rocks the boat, affects Balpa's chances of recognition and the likelihood of obtaining new members.
This must end NOW. The Gen. Sec's. pay rise must become performance related ie. the mean of the rises obtained by Balpa for its' members.
We need to get rid of Chris Darke asap and replace him with one of the many recently retired airline Captains - someone who understands our needs and concerns and who will provide Balpa with the leadership required to address our issues. Someone who will employ a strong and experienced negotiating team and get results in our favour, for a change.
PS. GB Airways is yet another example of Balpa's poor record in pay negotiations. They have just been sold down the road for a miserly 5%.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: U K
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Gen Sec pay in BALPA is comparable to other unions. BALPA is in the process of recruiting two Principal Negotiators to strengthen the negotiating team.
Experienced Union Officials are hard to come by due the changes in Employment legislation brought in by this Government and so Unions are having to pay more. The same as Airlines are doing to retain pilots. This years settlements that areunfettered by two year deals are coming in ahead of last year.
The General Secretary is elected every five years. If there is a genuine head of steam to remove the current incumbant then I suggest you read the BALPA Rules which will explain how to go about it. I think the current term ends next year.
BALPA is an extremely democratic organisation with all industrial reps positions and the NEC subject to regular elections. If there is a groundswell of opinion against an individual a simple majority will be enough to remove them.
Experienced Union Officials are hard to come by due the changes in Employment legislation brought in by this Government and so Unions are having to pay more. The same as Airlines are doing to retain pilots. This years settlements that areunfettered by two year deals are coming in ahead of last year.
The General Secretary is elected every five years. If there is a genuine head of steam to remove the current incumbant then I suggest you read the BALPA Rules which will explain how to go about it. I think the current term ends next year.
BALPA is an extremely democratic organisation with all industrial reps positions and the NEC subject to regular elections. If there is a groundswell of opinion against an individual a simple majority will be enough to remove them.
Guest
Posts: n/a
There seems to be a gap between what BALPA is doing and what it's members think and maybe want it to do. Although we elect our employees they should be there to do our bidding and not to follow their own agendas. There seems to be an unwillingness to ask what the members want and to discover what the members think of what is being done. There ought to be a better mechanism to instruct our union employees and to monitor their activity. The current veil between members and elected officials is opaque, it should be transparent.
Guest
Posts: n/a
BALPA is such a pompous organisation! Not only does CD constantly waste ink on blabbing about his enormous membership growth rates, take a look at their website, to sign up, you have to choose your title as "Capt., Lord, Sir or Major".
Seriously looking to give myself a 1% payrise.
Rod
Seriously looking to give myself a 1% payrise.
Rod
Guest
Posts: n/a
Things are going from bad to worse! Just as this years pay claim at BA begins to gather some momentum, Chris Darke kindly tells some BA flight crew on the way back from BGI that we shouldn't raise our expectations!!!
What is this man doing as Gen Sec? When can we get rid of him?
The pay claim at BA is going to be tough enough without the Gen Sec throwing in the towel already. Once again, BALPA members at BA and the BA CC are being undermined by New Road.
Chris, have you forgotten who pays your wages? If we don't get a result this year, I'm off to the IPA (and I'm sure that I won't be the only one). Get onside CD or look forward to your own pay being CUT!!!
What is this man doing as Gen Sec? When can we get rid of him?
The pay claim at BA is going to be tough enough without the Gen Sec throwing in the towel already. Once again, BALPA members at BA and the BA CC are being undermined by New Road.
Chris, have you forgotten who pays your wages? If we don't get a result this year, I'm off to the IPA (and I'm sure that I won't be the only one). Get onside CD or look forward to your own pay being CUT!!!
Join Date: Feb 1999
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Recently wrote a letter to BA BALPA rep at EOG, when I read the reply I thought they had passed it on to the Flight Crew Duty Mger to reply on their behalf!
Get your finger out your Ar$e and start acting like a union, or you won,t get my humble £30 odd quid a month subs for much longer!!
Get your finger out your Ar$e and start acting like a union, or you won,t get my humble £30 odd quid a month subs for much longer!!
Guest
Posts: n/a
I have no particular axe to grind with Chris Darke but I do think the way the union functions needs to be addressed. I pay 1% of my hard earned to BALPA (about £50 a month/£600 per year) and yet the people who do almost all the work on my behalf ie. the CC get nothing for their efforts except a few expenses now and then. I would like to see much more activity from head office that benefits me and my collegues directly. All we seem to get are 6 issues of the Log and a few press statements out of them. Not quite accurate I know but it does make me angry when I see the guys on the CC putting in hours for nothing and New Road swallowing my money.
Guest
Posts: n/a
THE ANSWER TO ALL THESE QUESTIONS AND MORE CAN BE FOUND AT>>>>>>
[email protected]
Do yourself a favour people, and try a bit of dialogue yourselves.
------------------
Magnus
[email protected]
Do yourself a favour people, and try a bit of dialogue yourselves.
------------------
Magnus
Guest
Posts: n/a
Magnus,
On reading this months log I found the following statement in Chris Darke`s column.
"In my view we can `t improve terms and conditions by throwing in unrealistic and unsustainable wage demands, hoping the companies will cave in to someone who shouts loudly or threatens strike action. That is of course providing you can deliver it"
I wrote to Mr Darke to ask why he chose to make a statement such as this two weeks prior to the start of negotiations with BA, I am still waiting for a reply. I did discover however that he was on holiday. I will not print the details of that holiday but if any of you where to ask Head Office directly you may find it enlightenly!
On reading this months log I found the following statement in Chris Darke`s column.
"In my view we can `t improve terms and conditions by throwing in unrealistic and unsustainable wage demands, hoping the companies will cave in to someone who shouts loudly or threatens strike action. That is of course providing you can deliver it"
I wrote to Mr Darke to ask why he chose to make a statement such as this two weeks prior to the start of negotiations with BA, I am still waiting for a reply. I did discover however that he was on holiday. I will not print the details of that holiday but if any of you where to ask Head Office directly you may find it enlightenly!
Guest
Posts: n/a
Boeingman,
In your first statement on this string you said "The IPA can never be a viable alternative to BALPA due to its total lack of resources" I believe that if the IPA does become a Union it will in fact do quite well. It does seem to be more in tune with the pilot workforce on many issues. For example flagging out, which we have discussed in the past.
The IPA have a strategy on writing to MP's, The DETR, Transport Minister etc and keep the members updated on what is happening. BALPA mearly prints a small notice in Airwaves once every now and then. Communication doesn't seem to be a strong point.
You once told me that this was so as to not show their (BALPA's) hand. But if the members don't know whats being done they feel under or badly represented.
Once-apon-a-time flagging out was an issue where a Charter Airline (usually Caledonian)would take on a wet-leased A/c for the summer season. Now it seems that most Charter companies try it on every year. I'm not 100% sure about the Atlas situation at the moment so I won't quote it, but the fact that these things happen and BALPA seems to do little about it gets on the memberships back.
This is just one example. I have no intention of turning this into a Flagging out string, just sounding off on my personal issue, but it is just one of many the members arn't happy about. ( Prehaps they would like to speak up at this point.)
I feel more communication is required, the IPA seem to be better at it at the moment.
In your first statement on this string you said "The IPA can never be a viable alternative to BALPA due to its total lack of resources" I believe that if the IPA does become a Union it will in fact do quite well. It does seem to be more in tune with the pilot workforce on many issues. For example flagging out, which we have discussed in the past.
The IPA have a strategy on writing to MP's, The DETR, Transport Minister etc and keep the members updated on what is happening. BALPA mearly prints a small notice in Airwaves once every now and then. Communication doesn't seem to be a strong point.
You once told me that this was so as to not show their (BALPA's) hand. But if the members don't know whats being done they feel under or badly represented.
Once-apon-a-time flagging out was an issue where a Charter Airline (usually Caledonian)would take on a wet-leased A/c for the summer season. Now it seems that most Charter companies try it on every year. I'm not 100% sure about the Atlas situation at the moment so I won't quote it, but the fact that these things happen and BALPA seems to do little about it gets on the memberships back.
This is just one example. I have no intention of turning this into a Flagging out string, just sounding off on my personal issue, but it is just one of many the members arn't happy about. ( Prehaps they would like to speak up at this point.)
I feel more communication is required, the IPA seem to be better at it at the moment.
Guest
Posts: n/a
On our BALPA notice board at work recently there was a petition posted about who thought it would be a good idea to strengthen the ties with IFALPA in the US. I thought this would be a good idea as it might help BALPA sharpen their teeth, especially where pay deals are concerned. The notice was not posted by a BALPA rep but by a regular line pilot. After two days it disappeared. Why?