Its time for Chris Darke to go!
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Its time for Chris Darke to go!
Does anybody know how we can get rid of Chris Darke?
I have had enough of Balpa's continued focus on increasing membership numbers. It is time for a cull at New Road. Balpa needs to do more for its existing members, many of whom only stay for the legal protection.
Balpa has failed to deliver in recent pay talks at BY and VS. Last year a 2 year pay deal was agreed at BA without even consulting the membership. When are Balpa going to employ the hard-nosed professional negotiators required to get results? Who thought that it was a good idea to send 3 pilots to Branson's house for a weekend of pay talks? Airline management must laugh at our amatuer attempts to improve our terms and conditions.
We need a change of direction and leadership. Chris Darke seems to be far to cosy with senior airline management. For example he concluded a deal, regarding the flight crew rest facilities on board BA's 777s, without informing the relevant council.
Chris Darke has forgotten that he works for us - the pilots and F/Es whose monthly subscriptions pay his wages.
Many comments on pprune indicate a complete lack of faith in Balpa. It appears that Balpa is only capable of selling us down the road.
[This message has been edited by Hot Wings (edited 25 March 2001).]
I have had enough of Balpa's continued focus on increasing membership numbers. It is time for a cull at New Road. Balpa needs to do more for its existing members, many of whom only stay for the legal protection.
Balpa has failed to deliver in recent pay talks at BY and VS. Last year a 2 year pay deal was agreed at BA without even consulting the membership. When are Balpa going to employ the hard-nosed professional negotiators required to get results? Who thought that it was a good idea to send 3 pilots to Branson's house for a weekend of pay talks? Airline management must laugh at our amatuer attempts to improve our terms and conditions.
We need a change of direction and leadership. Chris Darke seems to be far to cosy with senior airline management. For example he concluded a deal, regarding the flight crew rest facilities on board BA's 777s, without informing the relevant council.
Chris Darke has forgotten that he works for us - the pilots and F/Es whose monthly subscriptions pay his wages.
Many comments on pprune indicate a complete lack of faith in Balpa. It appears that Balpa is only capable of selling us down the road.
[This message has been edited by Hot Wings (edited 25 March 2001).]
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Dallas Dude - Chris Darke is not a qualified line pilot. He is employed by Balpa. I do not know how long he has been at Balpa for.
It is important to realise that he is an un-elected official. He appears to have a different agenda to that of the membership, in which case he should either change his ways or be removed.
PS. DD - did you live in BFL before Dallas?
It is important to realise that he is an un-elected official. He appears to have a different agenda to that of the membership, in which case he should either change his ways or be removed.
PS. DD - did you live in BFL before Dallas?
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I don't know how we can change the BALPA leadership but I agree that things are not right.
There are valid arguements that a union is only as strong as it's members make it BUT BALPA never seem to ask our opinion anymore. Occasionally (very) we receive a news letter threatening strong action about a company situation & asking our support should it be needed. Fine, except that's the last we hear of whatever the problem was.
I feel that many agreements etc are made with companies at a high union level by-passing the Company Councils, and as was stated CD and others are not elected.
Finally, with all the money we pay, BALPA are now a large and very profitable company in their own right. I would like to know what union their employees are in and if it is good!
1% is a hell of a lot to pay for legal cover (unless you ever need it of course!). I am not sure that I would want a BALPA representative at a disiplinary nowdays as I feel (perhaps wrongly) that a deal might be done with the company after I left.
Let's hope none of us ever have to worry about that side of it.
There are valid arguements that a union is only as strong as it's members make it BUT BALPA never seem to ask our opinion anymore. Occasionally (very) we receive a news letter threatening strong action about a company situation & asking our support should it be needed. Fine, except that's the last we hear of whatever the problem was.
I feel that many agreements etc are made with companies at a high union level by-passing the Company Councils, and as was stated CD and others are not elected.
Finally, with all the money we pay, BALPA are now a large and very profitable company in their own right. I would like to know what union their employees are in and if it is good!
1% is a hell of a lot to pay for legal cover (unless you ever need it of course!). I am not sure that I would want a BALPA representative at a disiplinary nowdays as I feel (perhaps wrongly) that a deal might be done with the company after I left.
Let's hope none of us ever have to worry about that side of it.
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Regardless of any personal opinions on BALPA, I should like to correct a couple of inaccuracies by Hot Wings and Sunshine Express, concerning Chris Darke.
The previous Gen Sec, Mark Young, passed away in August 1991. Following a considerable amount of "civilised discussion" amongst the BALPA membership, a ballot was held in mid-1992 between Mr Darke and David Lebrecht. Such was the deep concern of the BALPA membership at the time, that almost 61% managed to find the time to send in their ballot papers. Chris secured some 57% of the vote and was formally appointed at the NEC meeting of 7 July 92. He was, therefore, elected.
I can't put my finger on it, but I have been increasingly getting the feeling that BALPA reps are less than keen on PPRuNe for some reason or another. I thought, therefore, that it might be helpful to clarify this point in case it took some time for anyone from New Rd to do so. Meanwhile, I continue to pay my 1% and send in my ballots in good time.
The previous Gen Sec, Mark Young, passed away in August 1991. Following a considerable amount of "civilised discussion" amongst the BALPA membership, a ballot was held in mid-1992 between Mr Darke and David Lebrecht. Such was the deep concern of the BALPA membership at the time, that almost 61% managed to find the time to send in their ballot papers. Chris secured some 57% of the vote and was formally appointed at the NEC meeting of 7 July 92. He was, therefore, elected.
I can't put my finger on it, but I have been increasingly getting the feeling that BALPA reps are less than keen on PPRuNe for some reason or another. I thought, therefore, that it might be helpful to clarify this point in case it took some time for anyone from New Rd to do so. Meanwhile, I continue to pay my 1% and send in my ballots in good time.
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DrSyn - whilst I greatly appreciate you pointing out that Chris Darke is an elected official, I am deeply concerned that only 35% of the Balpa membership voted him into office 9 years ago.
Chris Darke continues to proclaim the increase in Balpa membership yet only a small percentage of current members voted for him. Perhaps someone can explain how long his term is, whether or not he ever need to get re-elected and what the process would be if we wanted to get rid of him.
I think that an election is long overdue as it is time to let the majority of Balpa members have their say regarding the strategy and policy of Balpa's leadership.
I'm not at all surprised to hear that PPrune is out of favour at New Road. Its amazing though, that our union would rather not hear what we have to say! Perhaps the truth hurts too much.
Chris Darke continues to proclaim the increase in Balpa membership yet only a small percentage of current members voted for him. Perhaps someone can explain how long his term is, whether or not he ever need to get re-elected and what the process would be if we wanted to get rid of him.
I think that an election is long overdue as it is time to let the majority of Balpa members have their say regarding the strategy and policy of Balpa's leadership.
I'm not at all surprised to hear that PPrune is out of favour at New Road. Its amazing though, that our union would rather not hear what we have to say! Perhaps the truth hurts too much.
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BALPA (of which I am a member) does seem to be particularly sensitive to wide debate as to it's role, aims and methods. Our company forum on PPRUNE had a large, in fact it's largest, topic about BALPA. This has mysteriously gone, vanished, no more to be pondered over. I seem to remember reading something 7 years ago about the control of history, but it ended up in room 101 and I can no longer find any reference to it.
I see our delegates get to have a wonderful bash whilst attempting to influence the great and good of the industry. Would it be possible for us lowly members to have a bash,funded from our subscriptions,to influence our delegates. Perhaps then we might get to feel part of the organisation and as if we had influence on what is done in our name. At the moment I feel "in the union but not part of the union" (or is that Europe I'm not sure, I can't find the reference again). I did visit the web site, but it is all form but no substance, I couldn't find any discussions to which I could contribute, but perhaps I'm not supposed to.
I see our delegates get to have a wonderful bash whilst attempting to influence the great and good of the industry. Would it be possible for us lowly members to have a bash,funded from our subscriptions,to influence our delegates. Perhaps then we might get to feel part of the organisation and as if we had influence on what is done in our name. At the moment I feel "in the union but not part of the union" (or is that Europe I'm not sure, I can't find the reference again). I did visit the web site, but it is all form but no substance, I couldn't find any discussions to which I could contribute, but perhaps I'm not supposed to.
DrSyn,
Chris Darke is NOT an elected official.
As General Secretary he is an employee of BALPA and may be dismissed (subject to the terms of his contract) without any vote.
The "election" to which you refer was merely to choose between two prospective candidates for a paid appointment.
Hope this helps an understanding of the position.
Chris Darke is NOT an elected official.
As General Secretary he is an employee of BALPA and may be dismissed (subject to the terms of his contract) without any vote.
The "election" to which you refer was merely to choose between two prospective candidates for a paid appointment.
Hope this helps an understanding of the position.
Guest
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Certainly BALPA are suceeding in expanding the membership. However they don't seem to be able to negotiate any decent (above inflation) raises. The recent Virgin case (for those of you who know the details) is astounding.
However, my question is ; "Is it BALPA's fault, or are these poor outcomes due to a lack of motivation within the employee base?"
However, my question is ; "Is it BALPA's fault, or are these poor outcomes due to a lack of motivation within the employee base?"
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I agree, some choice we had. David Lebrecht sold out the regions and then shortly afterwards we find he has gone to work for British airways. Chris Darke doesn't want to to spoil his new labout credentials. It's about time the membership were given a vote of confidence in the way Balpa has chosen to go. They seem far more interested in more members and therefore more revenue for balpa than they do about representing the interests of those who pay their wages. I'm also sick of hearing we are only as strong as the membership. We need leadership from somebody who is not going to be targeted from management for sticking their head above the parapet.
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I saw Chris Dark on news 24 this morning discussing NATS sell off. I must say that I thought at the time that I'd rather BALPA cocentrated on getting better pay for pilots and preventing companies franchising away real jobs. I think most members are more interested in these sorts of issue than the peripheral type things that BALPA seems to spend a lot of time on.
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Whether Chris Darke is a pilot or not I don't know. But I don't think he's a commercial pilot. What he certainly is is a professional union official. I seem to recall that in the '80's he was an extraemely militant union official with TASS - a small and active union for, I think, civil servants.
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As a BALPA member I would like to know if Chris Darke's salary has "enjoyed" similiar annual increases as that of the majority af BALPA members. As BA pilots form the majority of BALPA's membership I would expect his salary to have enjoyed a 1.5% increase last year 2% the year before.
BALPA is its membership why are we not aware of thew salaries we pay?
BALPA is its membership why are we not aware of thew salaries we pay?
Guest
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General Secretary Salary (Chris Darke) as per annual Balpa accounts over four consecutive years. (2000 not available yet.)
Total Remuneration in Pounds.
1996 77,202
1997 87,467
1998 97,788
1999 107,967
Approx Percentile Rise (General Sec)
1996-97 13.3%
1997-98 11.8%
1998-99 10.4%
General Staff Costs.
1996 916,981
1997 1,058,093
1998 1,101,524
1999 1,235,365
Approx Percentile Rise (General Staff Costs)
1996-97 15.4%
1997-98 4.1%
1998-99 12.2%
Balpa Membership Subscriptions 1999
2,904,339
Balpa Expenditure 1999
3,150,045
Overall Deficit 1999 (Excl Interest on Assets)
245,706
Figures for positions other than Gen Sec are not published in the Annual Report except within the overall staff costs.
[This message has been edited by XFO1-11 (edited 26 March 2001).]
[This message has been edited by XFO1-11 (edited 26 March 2001).]
Total Remuneration in Pounds.
1996 77,202
1997 87,467
1998 97,788
1999 107,967
Approx Percentile Rise (General Sec)
1996-97 13.3%
1997-98 11.8%
1998-99 10.4%
General Staff Costs.
1996 916,981
1997 1,058,093
1998 1,101,524
1999 1,235,365
Approx Percentile Rise (General Staff Costs)
1996-97 15.4%
1997-98 4.1%
1998-99 12.2%
Balpa Membership Subscriptions 1999
2,904,339
Balpa Expenditure 1999
3,150,045
Overall Deficit 1999 (Excl Interest on Assets)
245,706
Figures for positions other than Gen Sec are not published in the Annual Report except within the overall staff costs.
[This message has been edited by XFO1-11 (edited 26 March 2001).]
[This message has been edited by XFO1-11 (edited 26 March 2001).]
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i joined Balpa last year for two reasons:
1. Emerald have a history of 'blame' following incidents.
2. I was persuaded that 51% membership would yield great changes.
I have heard nothing from anyone since i and plenty of others joined the union.We don't even warrant a mention in the publications!
I will review my membership after one year and will probably move to the IPA to get that legal cover.
I have to say i feel it was the Subs that the union were after.
[This message has been edited by Captain Mainwaring (edited 26 March 2001).]
1. Emerald have a history of 'blame' following incidents.
2. I was persuaded that 51% membership would yield great changes.
I have heard nothing from anyone since i and plenty of others joined the union.We don't even warrant a mention in the publications!
I will review my membership after one year and will probably move to the IPA to get that legal cover.
I have to say i feel it was the Subs that the union were after.
[This message has been edited by Captain Mainwaring (edited 26 March 2001).]
Guest
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Legal cover seems a funny reason to stay in a union. Don't forget that you have convince your CC that you have more than a cat in hell's chance of winning before you get the assistance, but I may be wrong on this one.
I know a man who does a good deal on legal insurance if you want to e-mail me.
MP
I know a man who does a good deal on legal insurance if you want to e-mail me.
MP