Balpa membership and BA
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Southernboy
I believe you have misread M.Mouse's post.
FWIW, I agree that BACX/Connect employees were indeed lead up the garden path. But as you so rightly said, by my employer, not my CC
And even though, as I have demonstrated, they were the crowd who said:
I would still have felt obliged to support them, had they ever required me to do so.
They just weren't able, for whatever reasons, to give me that opportunity.
Whatever did, or did not happen, I personally was never able to influence anything! So can we cut down on the abuse please!
(Last remark not aimed at you Southernboy!)
I believe you have misread M.Mouse's post.
FWIW, I agree that BACX/Connect employees were indeed lead up the garden path. But as you so rightly said, by my employer, not my CC
And even though, as I have demonstrated, they were the crowd who said:
"I'd do your job for half the money."
They just weren't able, for whatever reasons, to give me that opportunity.
Whatever did, or did not happen, I personally was never able to influence anything! So can we cut down on the abuse please!
(Last remark not aimed at you Southernboy!)
Controversial, moi?
Southernboy
The first part of my post was addressed to 757flyer and began with that name. I was not accusing you of writing nonsense.
It is interesting that you accuse BALPA of biased behaviour but then appear not to be bothered enough to even try to have the behaviour addressed.
I suppose somebody will one day or is it more cathartic to air bitter and venomous thoughts here instead?
The first part of my post was addressed to 757flyer and began with that name. I was not accusing you of writing nonsense.
It is interesting that you accuse BALPA of biased behaviour but then appear not to be bothered enough to even try to have the behaviour addressed.
I suppose somebody will one day or is it more cathartic to air bitter and venomous thoughts here instead?
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Having worked for a UK charter airline for many years, I am astonished at some of the bitter vitriol being posted on here aimed at BA pilots.
Like it or not, BA is the benchmark for T & Cs and if they lose their righteous battle with WW, we can all prepare for a bleak future. Get a grip guys for God's sake.
Regards
Orion Man
Like it or not, BA is the benchmark for T & Cs and if they lose their righteous battle with WW, we can all prepare for a bleak future. Get a grip guys for God's sake.
Regards
Orion Man
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Can I ask a simple question?Who will be doing the training and checking?
Entirely their own setup or anyone from BA involved and if so on what terms?
Press reports on OS always seem to suggest that BA pilots want to impose their T's and C's on the operation.Make sure the message gets out clearly that this is not the case.ATB.
Entirely their own setup or anyone from BA involved and if so on what terms?
Press reports on OS always seem to suggest that BA pilots want to impose their T's and C's on the operation.Make sure the message gets out clearly that this is not the case.ATB.
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Slightly tongue-in-cheek (although there is nothing tongue in cheek about the_heavy_heavy's posts), but BA pilots wanting ALL pilots to pull together at this point in time, because of downwards pressure on their T&C's is a little ironic....
I mean, when paying for your type-rating, and spending your first few months working for free started to become de rigeur at certain airlines (in lieu of sponsorships drying up), I don't remember BA pilots of the day expressing the intention that they'd metaphorically "down tools" on behalf of those so unfortunate as to be forced down that road?
And arguably that has been the single biggest threat to all of our T&C's....
Better get used to the fact that a proportion of pilots would love to see you suffer!
What is also curious, is that many BA pilots reduce the argument they presently have with management to one of seniority, and stop there.
But it must be obvious to all but the dullest, that this doesn't really offer BA much leeway with regards to managing the costs associated with their new business proposition. Surely this is the crux issue?
Its all very well allowing OS pilots reduced T&C's, but inclusion on the seniority list means that once their secondment is up, they're free to take up employment on Mainline T&C's... So you only ever have a small tranche of pilots on OS T&C's.
How does that help BA? Or rather, how does that help the business you're employed by?
Granted I personally think there is slack in the system, but what are BA pilots suggesting the company do to tackle this point?
I mean, when paying for your type-rating, and spending your first few months working for free started to become de rigeur at certain airlines (in lieu of sponsorships drying up), I don't remember BA pilots of the day expressing the intention that they'd metaphorically "down tools" on behalf of those so unfortunate as to be forced down that road?
And arguably that has been the single biggest threat to all of our T&C's....
Better get used to the fact that a proportion of pilots would love to see you suffer!
What is also curious, is that many BA pilots reduce the argument they presently have with management to one of seniority, and stop there.
But it must be obvious to all but the dullest, that this doesn't really offer BA much leeway with regards to managing the costs associated with their new business proposition. Surely this is the crux issue?
Its all very well allowing OS pilots reduced T&C's, but inclusion on the seniority list means that once their secondment is up, they're free to take up employment on Mainline T&C's... So you only ever have a small tranche of pilots on OS T&C's.
How does that help BA? Or rather, how does that help the business you're employed by?
Granted I personally think there is slack in the system, but what are BA pilots suggesting the company do to tackle this point?
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Very simple SR71, negotiate!
Thats all we are asking. Not the simple no and no answers they've given us when we said we would like to make it a nil cost solution for BA (already going to far in my opinion for a negotiation standpoint). So where is the rub?
Ofcourse it's a business venture that hopefully takes off in the right way. But we want to be a part of it for reasons afore mentioned. But as before, we are not going to blow OS out of the water asking for mainline T&C's. One little nugget mind: You can be paid either in pounds or in euro's for OS at a fixed rate of 1.4. So as the pound slides against the euro, their contracts are not that cheap at all anymore. The equivalent of a PP18 skipper on mainline.
Funnily enough when I was low cost, I never ever thought I wanted somebody who has better T&C's suffer. For what reasons exactly? I accept your viewpoints regarding a general slide in the aviation industry but it's not BA's fault. If you want to lay blame go directly to the Unions or your own Company Council. I think the working relationships between Unions or even in one Union are very poor indeed. Just like any other business I guess.
Even we suffer from that general slide, look at pensions, 900hr rules, work coverage debates etc etc
We might enjoy the best T&C's in the UK but the gap has been closing for a while now.
And in fact, rejoining BA as an FO from a captains salary at EZY has been a BIG pay cut for the next 15 years. Tell me who reaps the fruits from that?
Thats all we are asking. Not the simple no and no answers they've given us when we said we would like to make it a nil cost solution for BA (already going to far in my opinion for a negotiation standpoint). So where is the rub?
Ofcourse it's a business venture that hopefully takes off in the right way. But we want to be a part of it for reasons afore mentioned. But as before, we are not going to blow OS out of the water asking for mainline T&C's. One little nugget mind: You can be paid either in pounds or in euro's for OS at a fixed rate of 1.4. So as the pound slides against the euro, their contracts are not that cheap at all anymore. The equivalent of a PP18 skipper on mainline.
Funnily enough when I was low cost, I never ever thought I wanted somebody who has better T&C's suffer. For what reasons exactly? I accept your viewpoints regarding a general slide in the aviation industry but it's not BA's fault. If you want to lay blame go directly to the Unions or your own Company Council. I think the working relationships between Unions or even in one Union are very poor indeed. Just like any other business I guess.
Even we suffer from that general slide, look at pensions, 900hr rules, work coverage debates etc etc
We might enjoy the best T&C's in the UK but the gap has been closing for a while now.
And in fact, rejoining BA as an FO from a captains salary at EZY has been a BIG pay cut for the next 15 years. Tell me who reaps the fruits from that?
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M Mouse again
"It is interesting that you accuse BALPA of biased behaviour but then appear not to be bothered enough to even try to have the behaviour addressed."
Perhaps you could point out where I accuse BALPA of a BA bias? The ability to read English is a contested issue at the moment & perhaps it's not your first language?
To make it easier for you I said "A perceived BA bias." Who perceived it? The members I was representing not me. It was ONE of the reasons recruiting membership beyond a certain point wasn't easy.
My first post referred to Chicken & the Egg. BACC is successful due to 96% membership, among other things, ergo get membership up & we could do the same but many perceived a BA bias - real or not - and that didn't help. I'm repeating myself but it seems to be necessary..........
Why don't I get active? I've retired & was merely offering some observations, gained by many 7 day weeks & long hours working for the CC, in the hope they may actually be useful. It seems not, so I'll stop & let the whingers & and angry continue.
Perhaps you could point out where I accuse BALPA of a BA bias? The ability to read English is a contested issue at the moment & perhaps it's not your first language?
To make it easier for you I said "A perceived BA bias." Who perceived it? The members I was representing not me. It was ONE of the reasons recruiting membership beyond a certain point wasn't easy.
My first post referred to Chicken & the Egg. BACC is successful due to 96% membership, among other things, ergo get membership up & we could do the same but many perceived a BA bias - real or not - and that didn't help. I'm repeating myself but it seems to be necessary..........
Why don't I get active? I've retired & was merely offering some observations, gained by many 7 day weeks & long hours working for the CC, in the hope they may actually be useful. It seems not, so I'll stop & let the whingers & and angry continue.
Last edited by Southernboy; 22nd Apr 2008 at 08:37. Reason: typo
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Southernboy as an observer who does not have a dog in this particular race, but who has previously commented on the level of vitriol / venom shown by some of the participants I have an observation for you.
Above you accused - incorrectly - M Mouse of directing a comment to you. Despite this being pointed out to you and a post of clarification by M. Mouse you neither acknowledged your error, nor apologised to the mouse. Instead, you have returned to your "attack" theme in which BALPA is your target. This suggests, to me at least, that your manifestly incorrect reading of M Mouse's post was driven by your antipathy and not by your ability to read. That seems to be a characteristic of many of the posters here and I find it unhelpful, if not depressing.
The paradox is that I am a critic of BALPA. Yet the "debate" here is not constructive and there is no sign of making any progress. However, as one who has been at the receiving end of what I believe to be BALPA incompetence, I have little doubt that it is at the NEC level where we will find the problems (and where it looks to me like the BACC have over the years had exactly the same problems as many other CCs).
More joined up thinking and courtesy from everybody would go a long way towards working out what has gone wrong. We can fight with each other, but it will only be to the advantage of our enemies. It takes a special level of stupidity to do that - as is well illustrated in some of the posts in this tread.
Above you accused - incorrectly - M Mouse of directing a comment to you. Despite this being pointed out to you and a post of clarification by M. Mouse you neither acknowledged your error, nor apologised to the mouse. Instead, you have returned to your "attack" theme in which BALPA is your target. This suggests, to me at least, that your manifestly incorrect reading of M Mouse's post was driven by your antipathy and not by your ability to read. That seems to be a characteristic of many of the posters here and I find it unhelpful, if not depressing.
The paradox is that I am a critic of BALPA. Yet the "debate" here is not constructive and there is no sign of making any progress. However, as one who has been at the receiving end of what I believe to be BALPA incompetence, I have little doubt that it is at the NEC level where we will find the problems (and where it looks to me like the BACC have over the years had exactly the same problems as many other CCs).
More joined up thinking and courtesy from everybody would go a long way towards working out what has gone wrong. We can fight with each other, but it will only be to the advantage of our enemies. It takes a special level of stupidity to do that - as is well illustrated in some of the posts in this tread.
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C.P
Training in Cranebank with their own checkers. Admittedly some ex BA early retirees.
SR71
I agree with your observation, why did BALPA not stop the rot from below, or even notice ? I don't know how effective BALPA could have been as these were new companies and at least new jobs were being created. I suppose there was still hope as pilots could still progress their careers at a later date. Now the rot is from both ends, OS / out-sourcing is going to erode things from the top. The eventual outcome might be to squeeze everything into a central flat region.
BALPA can't look the other way this time and is rightfully doing a good job.
Training in Cranebank with their own checkers. Admittedly some ex BA early retirees.
SR71
I agree with your observation, why did BALPA not stop the rot from below, or even notice ? I don't know how effective BALPA could have been as these were new companies and at least new jobs were being created. I suppose there was still hope as pilots could still progress their careers at a later date. Now the rot is from both ends, OS / out-sourcing is going to erode things from the top. The eventual outcome might be to squeeze everything into a central flat region.
BALPA can't look the other way this time and is rightfully doing a good job.
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SR71
A slightly tongue-in cheek-response to your "slightly tongue-in-cheek" post.
No **** Sherlock! 
If BA pilots do suffer, do you think that is 'more', or 'less' likely to result in improvements to general T&Cs in this industry? Wouldn't that be a pretty stupid thing to hope for?
Finally, what do you suggest BA pilots could have done to prevent people in other companies, "paying for your type-rating, and spending your first few months working for free"??
As you said, these may have been 'new' companies. But they aren't now. What are their pilots currently doing to stop this practice? Everyone has to take personal responsibility.
BALPA is not an all powerful organisation! It's you and me. Without strong membership in a company, those pilots have no voice, and effectively have to be grateful for whatever crumbs are handed down from the managers at the 'fat' table!
I'm very lucky. I work for a company where virtually every one of my colleagues realises the importance of having a voice at the 'fat' table.
Others could be 'lucky' too. If they organise themselves! It's not rocket science.
A slightly tongue-in cheek-response to your "slightly tongue-in-cheek" post.
Better get used to the fact that a proportion of pilots would love to see you suffer!
If BA pilots do suffer, do you think that is 'more', or 'less' likely to result in improvements to general T&Cs in this industry? Wouldn't that be a pretty stupid thing to hope for?
Finally, what do you suggest BA pilots could have done to prevent people in other companies, "paying for your type-rating, and spending your first few months working for free"??
As you said, these may have been 'new' companies. But they aren't now. What are their pilots currently doing to stop this practice? Everyone has to take personal responsibility.
BALPA is not an all powerful organisation! It's you and me. Without strong membership in a company, those pilots have no voice, and effectively have to be grateful for whatever crumbs are handed down from the managers at the 'fat' table!
I'm very lucky. I work for a company where virtually every one of my colleagues realises the importance of having a voice at the 'fat' table.
Others could be 'lucky' too. If they organise themselves! It's not rocket science.
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Grovel
Thanks DELWy, duly humbled, but confess I've not gone back over the whole saga as I think I've made the point I wanted to; so sorry Mouse if your fur was ruffled, no need to apologise for misunderstanding me.
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Tandemrotor,
I'll be the first to admit my ignorance...
I'm curious though, because when was the last time that BA union membership levels were, say, down at 65%?
Historically, it seems to me that membership levels at BA have always been high. Correct me if I'm wrong....
Now we can discuss why that might be the case, but as one who has been intimately involved in trying to address union membership levels in a company I worked for, it is not at all easy to raise membership levels...especially if there is a consensus amongst a proportion of the population that you don't have anything worth fighting for anyway!
Some BA pilots obviously don't appreciate this...in fact, one would think they're individually responsible for recruiting all 3000+ members!
Once membership levels reach a certain point, though, a kind of critical mass ensues, with the perception of new entrants being that there is obviously a reason for such membership levels (which in BA's case is fairly obvious), and the levels self perpetuate.
So whether high union membership levels result in good T&C's, or whether good T&C's result in high union membership levels is not clear to me.
Personally, I don't believe a decline in BA pilot's T&C's will have a significant effect on the majority of pilot T&C's in the UK whatsoever...certainly not in the short to medium term. It might if you're VS, AF, KLM or LH...
But we'll all be working for EK on the A380 soon won't we?
As delwy says, a little less testosterone and some more of that good NOTECH stuff might assist this debate no end....did I really say that?
I'll be the first to admit my ignorance...
I'm curious though, because when was the last time that BA union membership levels were, say, down at 65%?
Historically, it seems to me that membership levels at BA have always been high. Correct me if I'm wrong....
Now we can discuss why that might be the case, but as one who has been intimately involved in trying to address union membership levels in a company I worked for, it is not at all easy to raise membership levels...especially if there is a consensus amongst a proportion of the population that you don't have anything worth fighting for anyway!
Some BA pilots obviously don't appreciate this...in fact, one would think they're individually responsible for recruiting all 3000+ members!
Once membership levels reach a certain point, though, a kind of critical mass ensues, with the perception of new entrants being that there is obviously a reason for such membership levels (which in BA's case is fairly obvious), and the levels self perpetuate.
So whether high union membership levels result in good T&C's, or whether good T&C's result in high union membership levels is not clear to me.
Personally, I don't believe a decline in BA pilot's T&C's will have a significant effect on the majority of pilot T&C's in the UK whatsoever...certainly not in the short to medium term. It might if you're VS, AF, KLM or LH...
But we'll all be working for EK on the A380 soon won't we?
As delwy says, a little less testosterone and some more of that good NOTECH stuff might assist this debate no end....did I really say that?
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Some of you still don't get it do you?
Take this latest response from Hulkomaniac
No we didn't. Our employer may have shafted you, we didn't. We stood up for our own pilots, you didn't. Harsh fact, and I realise that you don't like hearing it, but there it is.
Well, you got that bit right, so why are you so upset that BA pilots are standing against it? Ashamed of your own failures in the past?
Exactly what the BA Company Council is mandated to do. What do you expect them to do? Look after your interests, when those in your company are too weak / indifferent / afraid to do anything themselves?
Join the real world. When I was in BA, I expected the BACC to object to the slightest thing that might affect my mainline prospects. That is what I paid my 1% for, for all those years.
Anytime anyone starts spouting about CRM, in this sort of industrial context, it is highly indicative that they know they have lost the intellectual argument.
The clincher is the resorting to puerile name calling and insults, as exemplified in the following gems from Hulkomaniac:
I try not to stoop to your level of vulgar abuse, but with an attitude like yours, I'll make an exception. Thank God you didn't get anywhere near BA.
You come across as exactly the sort of person who blames everyone else for their own problems, whilst being much too afraid to address them head on with your company.
Much easier to whinge and moan on an anonymous forum, about those nasty BA pilots, that's bound to improve matters for you eventually!
To the rest of you, if your T & Cs are not as you would wish, it is up to YOU to do something about them. Takes some backbone though, which might be where the problem lies!
Take this latest response from Hulkomaniac
In your obsession with your own Ts and Cs - which is undeniably your right - you have directly shafted a number of groups of pilots who have had the misfortune to be brought within or associated with your group.
That is why, although I accept OS is a crude management ploy to reduce pilot costs per se across the Western Industry
you block and object the slightest thing that might affect your mainline prospects.
Join the real world. When I was in BA, I expected the BACC to object to the slightest thing that might affect my mainline prospects. That is what I paid my 1% for, for all those years.
I wonder what would be said if an experienced skipper behaved like that to a brand new FO? Hardly CRM is it?
The clincher is the resorting to puerile name calling and insults, as exemplified in the following gems from Hulkomaniac:
I suggest you DO kn0b off and form your own union
the slanted and biaised view of the world you project
those bullying and patronising words.
Perhaps D1ckhead has a point
You are an @rse sir!!!
a disgrace to your community, your union and your profession!
You come across as exactly the sort of person who blames everyone else for their own problems, whilst being much too afraid to address them head on with your company.
Much easier to whinge and moan on an anonymous forum, about those nasty BA pilots, that's bound to improve matters for you eventually!
To the rest of you, if your T & Cs are not as you would wish, it is up to YOU to do something about them. Takes some backbone though, which might be where the problem lies!
Controversial, moi?
Personally, I don't believe a decline in BA pilot's T&C's will have a significant effect on the majority of pilot T&C's in the UK whatsoever...certainly not in the short to medium term. It might if you're VS, AF, KLM or LH...
This was at a time when after many years of no recruitment airlines were in need of more pilots. Had the conditions at BA been equal to the airline I worked for I doubt the management would have felt the need to keep giving unasked for pay rises because people would not have been tempted to leave!
Simple market forces would indicate that in times of need the employer with the perceived best Ts & Cs will attract the most people. For that simple reason there has to be a trickle down effect from a large and high paying company to cause smaller companies to raise their game to attract and retain their pilots.
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Personally, I don't believe a decline in BA pilot's T&C's will have a significant effect on the majority of pilot T&C's in the UK whatsoever...certainly not in the short to medium term. It might if you're VS, AF, KLM or LH...
Those of us who are employed by the likes of KLM, AF, LH etc, nevertheless continue to watch the developments at BA with keen interest, and with best wishes to the BACC........If BA successfully set up OS with a third party pilot workforce, it may be only a matter of time before AF/KLM or LH decide to do the same!!!
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A bit of a record on this thread, two consecutive reasoned arguements from "Ray" and the "Mouse", looking at possibilities for the future yet to be "made" rather than trawling over real or imagined past slights or injustices that cannot be changed.
Before the mood is lost a few more comments about the future.
It is certain that the big players like AF and LH are closely following what is happening with "Open Skies". It is also highly likely that when the dust has settled around OS ,and if it proves successful, that there will soon be a "Ciel Ouvert", "LH Lite".....flying out of airports outside their countries of origin including of course the UK.
Whilst "CO" , "LHL" could represent welcome employment opportunities for some British pilots the T&c's will inevitably be modelled on those of "OS".
So whereas in the past it might be true to say that T&C's in one country did not impact on another, it may take some time but in the future it is highly likely that this will no longer be the case. The existing LO Co's have already started the process and the advent of any "Legacy Lites" will only accelerate and accentuate it.
BALPA have obviously realised the potential importance of "OS", the real importance, at least from the perspective of BA Management, will be revealed by it's stance in front of the threatened strike.
It is important to realise however that what happens at BA in the coming months could have an impact in due course, to a greater or lesser extent , on all pilots throughout Europe at least. How big the ripples will be will depend upon just how big "big a stone" OS really is or turns out to be.
Before the mood is lost a few more comments about the future.
It is certain that the big players like AF and LH are closely following what is happening with "Open Skies". It is also highly likely that when the dust has settled around OS ,and if it proves successful, that there will soon be a "Ciel Ouvert", "LH Lite".....flying out of airports outside their countries of origin including of course the UK.
Whilst "CO" , "LHL" could represent welcome employment opportunities for some British pilots the T&c's will inevitably be modelled on those of "OS".
So whereas in the past it might be true to say that T&C's in one country did not impact on another, it may take some time but in the future it is highly likely that this will no longer be the case. The existing LO Co's have already started the process and the advent of any "Legacy Lites" will only accelerate and accentuate it.
BALPA have obviously realised the potential importance of "OS", the real importance, at least from the perspective of BA Management, will be revealed by it's stance in front of the threatened strike.
It is important to realise however that what happens at BA in the coming months could have an impact in due course, to a greater or lesser extent , on all pilots throughout Europe at least. How big the ripples will be will depend upon just how big "big a stone" OS really is or turns out to be.
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I take umbrage at some of these quotes:
I think I would be right in saying that most people posting on here, who work for BA, joined at a time when there was already a high percentage of union members within the company. Hell, when my father was in BA (ex Flat Earth W@nker with BEA on the 1-11) they had strong union membership.
When my brother joined BA some 18 years ago he was practically informed that he HAD to join Balpa in the first week of his course (the registration forms were sat in front of him on the desk).
When my BA colleagues started the sponsored course that I was on, a chap came down and told them to join Balpa and handed out registration forms.
What I am trying to say is that if you joined BA you are lucky to have walked into a company with a history of high union membership.
Others are not so lucky. I happen to work for a company that only has about 70% membership. I think Southernboy has a point about PERCEIVED bias. Which is why we struggle to raise the levels ( as well as some apathy and other reasons to boot). But even with our meagre 70%, we have a great CC who do some amazing work in protecting our T&C's.
To achieve the level of membership we have has taken a lot of hard work, we did not just walk into a company that had 96% membership. We had to talk to people to encourage them to join, to convince them it is worth 1% of their salary, to ensure them that it was no longer the BA Pilots Union (not easy with the number of ex-Dan Air pilots we had).
So please don't lecture us about having backbone etc.....
Finally good luck with the strike. I look forward to hearing that WW has got the boot, and you guys have kept the Trojan Horse out.
[To the rest of you, if your T & Cs are not as you would wish, it is up to YOU to do something about them. Takes some backbone though, which might be where the problem lies! /QUOTE]
I'm very lucky. I work for a company where virtually every one of my colleagues realises the importance of having a voice at the 'fat' table.
Others could be 'lucky' too. If they organise themselves! It's not rocket science.
I'm very lucky. I work for a company where virtually every one of my colleagues realises the importance of having a voice at the 'fat' table.
Others could be 'lucky' too. If they organise themselves! It's not rocket science.
If you don't like BALPA you don't have to be part of it - if you are part of it, then be active within it.
Too lily-livered in many cases, too afraid they might upset someone important and damage their career prospects in their airline. Much easier to blame those nasty BA pilots for all their troubles!
The plain fact is that those of you who work under substandard conditions are too disorganised, and in some cases too nervous, to do anything about it.
Sorry if the truth hurts!
Sorry if the truth hurts!
When my brother joined BA some 18 years ago he was practically informed that he HAD to join Balpa in the first week of his course (the registration forms were sat in front of him on the desk).
When my BA colleagues started the sponsored course that I was on, a chap came down and told them to join Balpa and handed out registration forms.
What I am trying to say is that if you joined BA you are lucky to have walked into a company with a history of high union membership.
Others are not so lucky. I happen to work for a company that only has about 70% membership. I think Southernboy has a point about PERCEIVED bias. Which is why we struggle to raise the levels ( as well as some apathy and other reasons to boot). But even with our meagre 70%, we have a great CC who do some amazing work in protecting our T&C's.
To achieve the level of membership we have has taken a lot of hard work, we did not just walk into a company that had 96% membership. We had to talk to people to encourage them to join, to convince them it is worth 1% of their salary, to ensure them that it was no longer the BA Pilots Union (not easy with the number of ex-Dan Air pilots we had).
So please don't lecture us about having backbone etc.....
Finally good luck with the strike. I look forward to hearing that WW has got the boot, and you guys have kept the Trojan Horse out.
