BALPA GS Election - Q & A
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man u,
I don't really understand your post.
On the one hand you have grasped some of the issues invlolved quite well, and rightly point out where others are going wrong.
Unfortunately, you then go and spoil your sentiments by saying you don't want a pilot running the union, when John has clearly stated himself that he has no intention of doing so!
I don't really understand your post.
On the one hand you have grasped some of the issues invlolved quite well, and rightly point out where others are going wrong.
Unfortunately, you then go and spoil your sentiments by saying you don't want a pilot running the union, when John has clearly stated himself that he has no intention of doing so!
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John,
If you are the vote winner, how will you ensure that all your time is devoted to the GS position? (until such time you find your succesor)
Is it safe to assume that for the period you are the GS, you will resign your position on the BA cc and stop your line flying activities?
Regards
If you are the vote winner, how will you ensure that all your time is devoted to the GS position? (until such time you find your succesor)
Is it safe to assume that for the period you are the GS, you will resign your position on the BA cc and stop your line flying activities?
Regards
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Roobarb,
I am already aware of some likely candidates, unfortunately making approaches or advertising the position is somewhat premature at this stage. Please understand that I will move as expediently as I can.
Thanks for the vote.
Regards,
John
man u,
Thanks for taking the time to join PPruNe to have your say. I had to do the same procedure a few days ago. I do not see any direct questions but I would like to correct some misunderstandings.
People are asking my views because they want a sense of what sort of replacement GS we would be looking for and why we cannot have a direct vote on that individual. i.e. Why a stocking horse?
I only intend to be GS, if elected, for as long as it takes to find a mutually acceptable replacement.
Your comment about the devil leads me to believe you are not happy with the present GS yourself; in fact you just wish to maintain the status quo because it is easier.
I am not going to promise you or anyone else the moon to get elected.
Regards,
John.
Air Mail,
Thanks; I should have made it clear that I am about to retire from BA. My wife has made it crystal clear to me that she will only tolerate the delay in enjoying my retirement until I fulfil my promise to find a good GS.
Regards,
John.
I am already aware of some likely candidates, unfortunately making approaches or advertising the position is somewhat premature at this stage. Please understand that I will move as expediently as I can.
Thanks for the vote.
Regards,
John
man u,
Thanks for taking the time to join PPruNe to have your say. I had to do the same procedure a few days ago. I do not see any direct questions but I would like to correct some misunderstandings.
People are asking my views because they want a sense of what sort of replacement GS we would be looking for and why we cannot have a direct vote on that individual. i.e. Why a stocking horse?
I only intend to be GS, if elected, for as long as it takes to find a mutually acceptable replacement.
Your comment about the devil leads me to believe you are not happy with the present GS yourself; in fact you just wish to maintain the status quo because it is easier.
I am not going to promise you or anyone else the moon to get elected.
Regards,
John.
Air Mail,
Thanks; I should have made it clear that I am about to retire from BA. My wife has made it crystal clear to me that she will only tolerate the delay in enjoying my retirement until I fulfil my promise to find a good GS.
Regards,
John.
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BALPA,foreign pilots etc.,,,
Dear TDKmk2,
my comments on the 'misemployment ' of non British pilots is mainly aimed at the companies involved in the practice of 'flagging out' , why only this evening loud and clear over the ether came the dulcet tones of an american using a callsign descriptive of a small bird of prey 'K*S*R*L' . I have no gripe with foreign pilots working here but I do have a major gripe with a system which allows british pilots to stay on the dole in their own country whilst foreigners take their jobs after all these brits have usually put all their cash into the british economy through the medium of british schools to attain their licences. As I said previously, when all the unemployed british pilots have a job then by all means welcome in the overseas pilots. Even worse is the flagrant abuse of our system by a certain irish company who continually trawl the world for pilots - to be based here, let them all stay in ireland, or make the company employ local nationals in all of their overseas bases.
Let me re-iterate that I don't have any hangups or racist animosity towards foreign pilots but I firmly believe that charity begins at home.
my comments on the 'misemployment ' of non British pilots is mainly aimed at the companies involved in the practice of 'flagging out' , why only this evening loud and clear over the ether came the dulcet tones of an american using a callsign descriptive of a small bird of prey 'K*S*R*L' . I have no gripe with foreign pilots working here but I do have a major gripe with a system which allows british pilots to stay on the dole in their own country whilst foreigners take their jobs after all these brits have usually put all their cash into the british economy through the medium of british schools to attain their licences. As I said previously, when all the unemployed british pilots have a job then by all means welcome in the overseas pilots. Even worse is the flagrant abuse of our system by a certain irish company who continually trawl the world for pilots - to be based here, let them all stay in ireland, or make the company employ local nationals in all of their overseas bases.
Let me re-iterate that I don't have any hangups or racist animosity towards foreign pilots but I firmly believe that charity begins at home.
Mistrust in Management
I apologise to all for the length of the post
Hi john,
Obviously you have my vote. I sincerely hope you win this election; if you don't it is likely that BALPA will lose more than 50% of it's subsciptions.
I'm sure that a lot of you will find that hard to believe but it will happen. The last two letters to the membership were a definite attempt to sway the election towards Darky. I have e-mailed Chairman Granville and spoken at length to the Vice-Chairman Alan Wright about the morality of their letter. Both have been totally unrepentant because they believe they were justified in that their actions were upheld by the NEC and were found to be 'legal' by their lawyers. Both men supported Darky and the direction he has taken our association.
Here is a reply to the e-mail I sent to Chairman Granshaw the day before yesterday, and I quote directly "Naturally I obtained legal opinion before sending the letters and this has been endorsed by a closed session of the last NEC which found that our rules and the legislation had both been complied with."
God help us.
John, I desperately hope you are successfull in this election. If you are please make all efforts to ensure that our association is given back to the members.
I would like to see an association that is run on much leaner lines than the current model. I question the need for such large head office expenses. I would like to see the association run by the members for the members. I certainly question the need to pay large salaries for the Gen Sec's post. Given many peoples views on the way the association has been run of late I would question the need to have a general secretary at all.
I can envisage such an association being web based, no 'log', no 'airwaves' and virtually no communication costs. No company cars, mobile phone bills or office accommodation costs. All the current information would be available on a BALPA website accessible by password only to BALPA members. Any communications would in the main be by e-mail. There would be no expensive campaigns to recruit new members; new members would be welcome but growth for growths sake would cease to be a priority.
Perhaps no permanent staff at all, but secretarial services etc can be outsourced and bought in when required. The NEC and company councils would be responsible for the requisite information being provided to the members via the website. The 'log' and 'airwaves' would be made available also via the website. A discussion forum on the website would be very important as a source of information for the reps and the NEC on members views. Perhaps even elections could be carried out via this secure website!
An advantage to the members would be apparent in an immediate and substantial reduction in subscriptions. The main improvement however would be that the members would really see and believe that their association was being run entirely for the members benefit.
I can see argument that not all members would have access to the Internet, and to an extent this is true. However I believe that most members have access at home and I know that all B.A. members have access at work. In any case the savings a member would make on subscriptions would soon pay for means to access the Internet.
This would not be changes for changes sake but really would give BALPA back to the members. Of course I understand that many people would have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo but surely the paying members requirements should have priority.
I have been seeking BA member's opinions on creating a BA only Flight Crew union, a union that would be run on lines similar to that outlined above. The reaction has been mixed but mainly positive, however there are obvious concerns in regard to temporary lack of unity and possible lack of legal cover for members. I would prefer that BA members remain within BALPA, but only if BALPA makes great improvements to the way it is organised and run.
Regards
Exeng
Obviously you have my vote. I sincerely hope you win this election; if you don't it is likely that BALPA will lose more than 50% of it's subsciptions.
I'm sure that a lot of you will find that hard to believe but it will happen. The last two letters to the membership were a definite attempt to sway the election towards Darky. I have e-mailed Chairman Granville and spoken at length to the Vice-Chairman Alan Wright about the morality of their letter. Both have been totally unrepentant because they believe they were justified in that their actions were upheld by the NEC and were found to be 'legal' by their lawyers. Both men supported Darky and the direction he has taken our association.
Here is a reply to the e-mail I sent to Chairman Granshaw the day before yesterday, and I quote directly "Naturally I obtained legal opinion before sending the letters and this has been endorsed by a closed session of the last NEC which found that our rules and the legislation had both been complied with."
God help us.
John, I desperately hope you are successfull in this election. If you are please make all efforts to ensure that our association is given back to the members.
I would like to see an association that is run on much leaner lines than the current model. I question the need for such large head office expenses. I would like to see the association run by the members for the members. I certainly question the need to pay large salaries for the Gen Sec's post. Given many peoples views on the way the association has been run of late I would question the need to have a general secretary at all.
I can envisage such an association being web based, no 'log', no 'airwaves' and virtually no communication costs. No company cars, mobile phone bills or office accommodation costs. All the current information would be available on a BALPA website accessible by password only to BALPA members. Any communications would in the main be by e-mail. There would be no expensive campaigns to recruit new members; new members would be welcome but growth for growths sake would cease to be a priority.
Perhaps no permanent staff at all, but secretarial services etc can be outsourced and bought in when required. The NEC and company councils would be responsible for the requisite information being provided to the members via the website. The 'log' and 'airwaves' would be made available also via the website. A discussion forum on the website would be very important as a source of information for the reps and the NEC on members views. Perhaps even elections could be carried out via this secure website!
An advantage to the members would be apparent in an immediate and substantial reduction in subscriptions. The main improvement however would be that the members would really see and believe that their association was being run entirely for the members benefit.
I can see argument that not all members would have access to the Internet, and to an extent this is true. However I believe that most members have access at home and I know that all B.A. members have access at work. In any case the savings a member would make on subscriptions would soon pay for means to access the Internet.
This would not be changes for changes sake but really would give BALPA back to the members. Of course I understand that many people would have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo but surely the paying members requirements should have priority.
I have been seeking BA member's opinions on creating a BA only Flight Crew union, a union that would be run on lines similar to that outlined above. The reaction has been mixed but mainly positive, however there are obvious concerns in regard to temporary lack of unity and possible lack of legal cover for members. I would prefer that BA members remain within BALPA, but only if BALPA makes great improvements to the way it is organised and run.
Regards
Exeng
Last edited by exeng; 15th May 2002 at 14:18.
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ExEng,
Lucky you to at least get a reply from BALPA.
My experience of late, on this and other issues, is that they have closed shop and ranks until the voting date.
CD - I know you read these posts. - rather quiet eh? I guess your too busy clearing your desk!
Lucky you to at least get a reply from BALPA.
My experience of late, on this and other issues, is that they have closed shop and ranks until the voting date.
CD - I know you read these posts. - rather quiet eh? I guess your too busy clearing your desk!
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General thrust of exeng's remarks are quite correct and admirable. I question the extent of the 'web' style office he proposes, but all the principle is bang on the money. The other remarkable benefit which exeng doesn't mention is that if subscriptions were significantly reduced, we would probably get the membership growth anyway, that's market forces for you.
Otherwise, yes, I believe he is right. My direct debit will be possibly cancelled the day the result is announced - if CD is re-elected. Granshaw's comments bear a resemblance to the attitude of the Euro-MP who commented that issues such as EU-wide policies were far too important to be left to truck drivers and shop assistants. In other words, as always happens down through the centuries, power detaches and then corrupts.
Time for a new broom methinks.
Someone cleverer than me has already commented that it is pointless asking John what his policies will be, as his intention in standing is to empower a new election with a wider range of candidates, who might per se actually be a bit more eloquent about THEIR policies and way forwards. This is where we are. If CD had had the confidence to throw an open election to begin with, John's action would not be necessary. CD's methodology has all the very worst elements of unionism, smoke filled rooms rigged elections etc - but not even any of the benefits usually associated with a strong union dealing with intransigent employers. I'm not a 'wrecker', but change is needed here. Good luck John - you must have a VERY understanding wife!!.
Otherwise, yes, I believe he is right. My direct debit will be possibly cancelled the day the result is announced - if CD is re-elected. Granshaw's comments bear a resemblance to the attitude of the Euro-MP who commented that issues such as EU-wide policies were far too important to be left to truck drivers and shop assistants. In other words, as always happens down through the centuries, power detaches and then corrupts.
Time for a new broom methinks.
Someone cleverer than me has already commented that it is pointless asking John what his policies will be, as his intention in standing is to empower a new election with a wider range of candidates, who might per se actually be a bit more eloquent about THEIR policies and way forwards. This is where we are. If CD had had the confidence to throw an open election to begin with, John's action would not be necessary. CD's methodology has all the very worst elements of unionism, smoke filled rooms rigged elections etc - but not even any of the benefits usually associated with a strong union dealing with intransigent employers. I'm not a 'wrecker', but change is needed here. Good luck John - you must have a VERY understanding wife!!.
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I am puzzled by the mechanism for the second election. If CD is not elected and JF then stands down, how are we going to persuade these individuals to stand for the second ballot if they cannot be persuaded to stand for the first one? I seem to remember this debate being held at great length when CD first stood - his only opponent had nothing to lose by declaring himself, and he subsequently went to work for BA didn't he?
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Exeng,
I agree that the letter sent out by the NEC Chairman was, to say the least, unfortunate. It has had something of an adverse effect on how the result of this election, as you point out, will be viewed by some members.
The association does indeed need to be in a better financial situation. Whilst the thought of a web based union has cost attractions these have to be balanced against member’s wishes. You are right that as the years progress more and more emphasis will progress to internet based businesses. I just doubt whether forcing that change overnight is the right thing to do. You are correct about the cost savings but I would not force people into having to purchase computers, and the internet, just to obtain union representation. You are right though; it will come.
I would offer you a counter point on the subscription issue. I feel that people don’t mind paying the 1% provided it is worth it; it all boils down to value for money. If we can provide value and cut costs there is nothing wrong with the association becoming more financially secure. The more secure it is the less likely employers would be to push too hard. I would offer you the example of US ALPA. They charge 2-2.5% have a very large bank reserve from which they pay strike salary. They recently took on Comair and funded their members for over 90 days and won. Now 2.5% is a lot of money but is it good value; ask the US pilots about their salaries. I am not advocating raising BALPA subscriptions; just increasing the value you get for your 1%.
I am aware of the increasing sentiment for a BA only union. I had hoped by standing and giving everyone an election that it would have cooled the issue. People would have had their democratic say and lived with the result; whatever it was. I didn’t bargain on Mervyn’s letter making people feel more alienated.
Thanks for your vote.
Regards,
John.
Nigel Nearly,
If I tell my wife she is very understanding she will haul me out shopping for a reward. I’ll keep quiet!
Thanks for the good wishes.
Regards,
John.
Nickp,
I would only stand down after finding someone mutually acceptable. There does not have to be a second ballet provided the NEC also find the replacement individual acceptable. It would be unlikely that the NEC would proffer CD a second time.
Regards,
John
I agree that the letter sent out by the NEC Chairman was, to say the least, unfortunate. It has had something of an adverse effect on how the result of this election, as you point out, will be viewed by some members.
The association does indeed need to be in a better financial situation. Whilst the thought of a web based union has cost attractions these have to be balanced against member’s wishes. You are right that as the years progress more and more emphasis will progress to internet based businesses. I just doubt whether forcing that change overnight is the right thing to do. You are correct about the cost savings but I would not force people into having to purchase computers, and the internet, just to obtain union representation. You are right though; it will come.
I would offer you a counter point on the subscription issue. I feel that people don’t mind paying the 1% provided it is worth it; it all boils down to value for money. If we can provide value and cut costs there is nothing wrong with the association becoming more financially secure. The more secure it is the less likely employers would be to push too hard. I would offer you the example of US ALPA. They charge 2-2.5% have a very large bank reserve from which they pay strike salary. They recently took on Comair and funded their members for over 90 days and won. Now 2.5% is a lot of money but is it good value; ask the US pilots about their salaries. I am not advocating raising BALPA subscriptions; just increasing the value you get for your 1%.
I am aware of the increasing sentiment for a BA only union. I had hoped by standing and giving everyone an election that it would have cooled the issue. People would have had their democratic say and lived with the result; whatever it was. I didn’t bargain on Mervyn’s letter making people feel more alienated.
Thanks for your vote.
Regards,
John.
Nigel Nearly,
If I tell my wife she is very understanding she will haul me out shopping for a reward. I’ll keep quiet!
Thanks for the good wishes.
Regards,
John.
Nickp,
I would only stand down after finding someone mutually acceptable. There does not have to be a second ballet provided the NEC also find the replacement individual acceptable. It would be unlikely that the NEC would proffer CD a second time.
Regards,
John
Last edited by John Frohnsdorff; 15th May 2002 at 23:17.
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John,
If you won the election for the GS position and immediately stood down who would we expect to stand for the subsequent election and why do you feel that they would be more suitable than Chris Darke? Would they fairly represent ALL British airline pilots regardless of their company? Why haven't they already put their names forward for THIS election? It seems difficult to vote for (in effect) an unknown quantity. Presumably though we could always re-elect CD in the subsequent election if no better candidate came forward.
I'm all for changing a system if it doesn't appear to be working, but only if there's a better alternative.
I'm glad that these matters are being allowed to be debated publicly. Thanks for your time.
Regards
Paddington
If you won the election for the GS position and immediately stood down who would we expect to stand for the subsequent election and why do you feel that they would be more suitable than Chris Darke? Would they fairly represent ALL British airline pilots regardless of their company? Why haven't they already put their names forward for THIS election? It seems difficult to vote for (in effect) an unknown quantity. Presumably though we could always re-elect CD in the subsequent election if no better candidate came forward.
I'm all for changing a system if it doesn't appear to be working, but only if there's a better alternative.
I'm glad that these matters are being allowed to be debated publicly. Thanks for your time.
Regards
Paddington
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Paddington*,
I would stand down when a good replacement had been found and would not just cut and run as you suggest. I have said in previous posts that it is easier to fill a definitely available position rather than a possible one.
The new GS would have to be acceptable to all members regardless of company. This is not a BA takeover as some have suggested.
With respect; I would suggest that you revisit some of my earlier replies. I think you will find they cover your remaining questions.
We really require a GS that brings the association together. I would suggest that it is obvious from our present position that CD is not that individual.
Regards,
John
I would stand down when a good replacement had been found and would not just cut and run as you suggest. I have said in previous posts that it is easier to fill a definitely available position rather than a possible one.
The new GS would have to be acceptable to all members regardless of company. This is not a BA takeover as some have suggested.
With respect; I would suggest that you revisit some of my earlier replies. I think you will find they cover your remaining questions.
We really require a GS that brings the association together. I would suggest that it is obvious from our present position that CD is not that individual.
Regards,
John
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I hate to hijack this thread but I'm still not able to email Pipistrelle so will be brief. I have to say sir, that that 'system' which you say you have a gripe with provides us all with equal employment opportunity in this country and just because someone has a 'foreign' accent doesn't necessarily mean that they don't hold a red passport or aren't a fully paid up pilot in this country. Indeed if you heard my dulcet antipodean tones using a certain BA franchise callsign on your freqency how could you possibly know that I too will eventually hold a British passport and have 'invested' the better part of £30,000 of flying training into your British economy? So you tell me sir, am I any less worthy of my job than my British born coleagues because if I was sacked on the basis of my nationality I would have a case for discrimination and I would expect our union to represent me in the ensuing tribunal. Your contention that 'foreign' pilots shouldn't be allowed to work here until all British pilots have jobs is totally unworkable, highly unethical and would be illegal if those 'foreign' pilots had either an E.U. passport or a work visa granted by the Home Office.
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I believe that it is very easy to complicate this situation with issues of personality and personal perspective. Surely it is the mechanism of democracy that is under scrutiny here.
I have no doubt whatsoever that Chris Darke is a most capable professional and that he genuinely wishes to serve BALPA to the best of his ability. However, it is tough at the top and at that level we must always be vigilant for other fellows who are even more capable and efficient.
It is with this basic principle of democracy in mind that I have decided to back you John. Thankyou for your time and effort. I might add that the bias shown in some of the missives reaching my doormat has been most unprofessional. Just because something is legally correct, does not mean that it is morally right.
I have no doubt whatsoever that Chris Darke is a most capable professional and that he genuinely wishes to serve BALPA to the best of his ability. However, it is tough at the top and at that level we must always be vigilant for other fellows who are even more capable and efficient.
It is with this basic principle of democracy in mind that I have decided to back you John. Thankyou for your time and effort. I might add that the bias shown in some of the missives reaching my doormat has been most unprofessional. Just because something is legally correct, does not mean that it is morally right.
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foreign pilots
TDKmk2, If you think that it is perfectly ethical to employ foreign pilots before british pilots that is your privelege, however I don't think you will get much support for your opinion at one of the balpa 'Unemployed Pilots' seminars. Do you really think we are playing from a level field? try working in america the land of the free!!maybe it is just because english is the so called language of aviation that makes it easy for people to slip into the british system. Again I reiterate that I believe a limited number of foreigners in almost any sphere is healthy but not to the detriment of the local unemployed workforce. There are obviously shades of grey and every case must be considered but again I stress, priority must be given to the local pilots, assuming all are equally qualified. As for the legal aspect of it possibly the statutes should be changed to protect the british pilots and not make it easy for the the continual influx. A couple of Irish buddies have the same gripe about being unable to get a job in their homeland because of the massive influx of foreign pilots there.
Last edited by pipistrelle; 16th May 2002 at 03:11.
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John
Your reply to me says that the replacement has to be acceptable to the NEC and your reply to Paddington says that he has to be acceptable to ALL MEMBERS. What you are trying to do is to get the membership to reject CD so that the NEC can choose a replacement and I do not believe that is democracy.
Your reply to me says that the replacement has to be acceptable to the NEC and your reply to Paddington says that he has to be acceptable to ALL MEMBERS. What you are trying to do is to get the membership to reject CD so that the NEC can choose a replacement and I do not believe that is democracy.
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High Volt,
Thanks for your support and your vote.
Regards,
John.
Pipistrelle & TDK mk2,
With due respect gentlemen; I have answered both your questions. If you wish to carry out a private debate could you please do so under your own thread.
I am conscious of Danny’s (PPruNe) wishes in keeping this thread within narrow confines. Please help me with this!
Regards,
John
Nickp,
Why do you think that members having their say in an election is anything other then democratic? I have explained the position fully in both the manifesto and on this forum.
Surely if you feel that CD is the best person for the job you would have no fear of the outcome. People who are afraid of elections generally have something to fear and/or something they do not wish to discuss.
Frankly you’re in denial!
Regards,
John
Thanks for your support and your vote.
Regards,
John.
Pipistrelle & TDK mk2,
With due respect gentlemen; I have answered both your questions. If you wish to carry out a private debate could you please do so under your own thread.
I am conscious of Danny’s (PPruNe) wishes in keeping this thread within narrow confines. Please help me with this!
Regards,
John
Nickp,
Why do you think that members having their say in an election is anything other then democratic? I have explained the position fully in both the manifesto and on this forum.
Surely if you feel that CD is the best person for the job you would have no fear of the outcome. People who are afraid of elections generally have something to fear and/or something they do not wish to discuss.
Frankly you’re in denial!
Regards,
John
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Pipistrelle, firstly as long as the U.K. remains a member of the European Union you can't as far as employment is concerned differentiate between any citizen of any of the member countries. And to suggest that for someone such as me, with indefinate leave to work and remain in this country, the difference between this time last year (when there was a relatively healthy employment situation for the pilot corps) and now (when there clearly isn't) is that they are somehow less worthy of employment than a British pilot is outrageous. To say that limited numbers of 'foreign' workers is healthy when it economically suits you but as soon as times get tough they should be ousted so that local workers can be employed is the usual position of some of our less appealing extreme right wing political groups. In the interests of CRM I strongly suggest that you do not expound this view to any 'foreign' colleagues you find yourself flying with...
Sorry John, I was typing this when you made your post - I invite Pipistrelle to email me with any further comment...
Sorry John, I was typing this when you made your post - I invite Pipistrelle to email me with any further comment...
Last edited by TDK mk2; 16th May 2002 at 09:43.
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John,
I wish you well in your retirement and thank you for the huge effort that you have given to BALPA over the years !!!
Before you go to pastures green you are supporting a valuable principle.
It is gratifying to see a senior pilot colleague generously give up their time to support the principle that the General Secretary post should be chosen by the members with a free democratic process. Ten years ago it was, but five years ago it was not a free vote.
This means that a BALPA rule change may now be required.
You have had my vote John and as such I feel the time is right for a new head office team, starting with a new GS. Chirs Darke has achieved some good things...........
..............BUT GOOD ENOUGH NEVER IS !!............
................Let's return our union to all the members by a free vote.
The best man should then win in the view of the whole membership.
ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz.............
I wish you well in your retirement and thank you for the huge effort that you have given to BALPA over the years !!!
Before you go to pastures green you are supporting a valuable principle.
It is gratifying to see a senior pilot colleague generously give up their time to support the principle that the General Secretary post should be chosen by the members with a free democratic process. Ten years ago it was, but five years ago it was not a free vote.
This means that a BALPA rule change may now be required.
You have had my vote John and as such I feel the time is right for a new head office team, starting with a new GS. Chirs Darke has achieved some good things...........
..............BUT GOOD ENOUGH NEVER IS !!............
................Let's return our union to all the members by a free vote.
The best man should then win in the view of the whole membership.
ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz.............