john frohnsdorff elected BALPA General Secretary
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john frohnsdorff elected BALPA General Secretary
The votes are in, and counted, with no dimpled chads i might add, and the winner is ....
John Frohnsdorff 2935 votes
Christopher Darke 1414 votes
with 7750 sent out
and 4363 returned
and 14 spoilt
John Frohnsdorff 2935 votes
Christopher Darke 1414 votes
with 7750 sent out
and 4363 returned
and 14 spoilt
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Wonderful news - Good luck in your search for suitable candidates to replace yourself, JF!
You are an honourable man with honourable intentions and without your efforts my faith in democracy would have hit rock bottom.
Finally, BALPA is once again a pilots union back in the hands of pilots.
You are an honourable man with honourable intentions and without your efforts my faith in democracy would have hit rock bottom.
Finally, BALPA is once again a pilots union back in the hands of pilots.
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Hear hear...
The main question now is "Do we want a Pilot / ex-Pilot to lead our union, or 'a specialist Union leader' ??
I believe this was the issue before CD was sought out, and the vote shows we have not been happy with the result. I notice (one of?) the Nurses' unions are now coming to a similar dilemma, having elected a (highly paid) American to lead their union... with questions about the direction of the union (as well as its finances)
NoD
The main question now is "Do we want a Pilot / ex-Pilot to lead our union, or 'a specialist Union leader' ??
I believe this was the issue before CD was sought out, and the vote shows we have not been happy with the result. I notice (one of?) the Nurses' unions are now coming to a similar dilemma, having elected a (highly paid) American to lead their union... with questions about the direction of the union (as well as its finances)
NoD
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While the euphoria runs wild, may I re-assure ALL members that BALPA will be in good hands with the deputy, Graham Fowler, looking after 'the shop' while the 'new boss' goes out looking for new stock.
I understand a few of the staff at New Road are quite happy with the result too.
I understand a few of the staff at New Road are quite happy with the result too.
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I wonder how some of the Airline management guys see this?
I would have guessed that they would have preferred dear old uncle Chris to have stayed in place, for the chances of an easier life.
I would have guessed that they would have preferred dear old uncle Chris to have stayed in place, for the chances of an easier life.
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John F
Well, as someone who has been paying my subs for a while and doesn'y mind who knows my identity, a fact I find interesting from those contributing anonymously I would like to ask the questions of where does BALPA go from here? What is the immediate plan and what is the long term one? It would certainly NOT be in BALPA's best interest to be headless, thus a FULL time person would seem to be required, not a part timer, even whilst what seems to be search for the real candidate seems to be going forward. Does JF intend resigning from BA to devote his time to BALPA during this difficult period for example?
I would have thought that the companies out there are counting their luck, as FULL TIME leadership at BALPA will apear to not be available, which will make life somewaht more difficult for all on the employees side and enable any determined mangement anopportunity to make a strategic strike at us
Qiute why the real candidate did not stand in this election puzzles me? After all, given the complaints about finances from some as the reason for CDs removal, the cost of two elections rather than one will now be incurred, hardly helpful to the finance case !
As to outside accountants monitoring balance sheets from the BALPA report, well given the foul up and cover ups at Andersen I would have thought that a degree of humble pie would be in order. If you need the real in depth numbers, there is surely an executuve oversight via the NEC, which are they not the elected officials who oversee what BALPA does ?
Let us hope that this situation is resolved quickly and with an inclusive solution, for any divisions within BALPA due to sectional self interest will be exploited to the full by those who wish to see BALPA weakened.
Regards
Martin Alder
I would have thought that the companies out there are counting their luck, as FULL TIME leadership at BALPA will apear to not be available, which will make life somewaht more difficult for all on the employees side and enable any determined mangement anopportunity to make a strategic strike at us
Qiute why the real candidate did not stand in this election puzzles me? After all, given the complaints about finances from some as the reason for CDs removal, the cost of two elections rather than one will now be incurred, hardly helpful to the finance case !
As to outside accountants monitoring balance sheets from the BALPA report, well given the foul up and cover ups at Andersen I would have thought that a degree of humble pie would be in order. If you need the real in depth numbers, there is surely an executuve oversight via the NEC, which are they not the elected officials who oversee what BALPA does ?
Let us hope that this situation is resolved quickly and with an inclusive solution, for any divisions within BALPA due to sectional self interest will be exploited to the full by those who wish to see BALPA weakened.
Regards
Martin Alder
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Good luck John! Never before in all my years as a BALPA member have I felt so excited to be a part of this group. My heart flutters by excretions of adrenalin in anticipation of a leader that is accountable to the good of its members! Now lets get some hard-hitters and quit pussy-footing about. (consult APLA)
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Does this mean we can finally look forward to a more proactive approach from BALPA to the issues that affect us all and have been begging for action for years?
For example, flagging-out, employment of non-EU crews, levelling the JAA playing field, over-liberalisation of FTLs etc.?
BALPA have had it nice and comfortable for a long time. If a union is comfortable, chances are the members aren't, and the officers are not doing their jobs.
For example, flagging-out, employment of non-EU crews, levelling the JAA playing field, over-liberalisation of FTLs etc.?
BALPA have had it nice and comfortable for a long time. If a union is comfortable, chances are the members aren't, and the officers are not doing their jobs.
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Good news indeed, even if long overdue. That is a very decisive vote by the pilot members.
I no longer fly, so the vote does not affect me individually. I was however a member for a good number of years when I was flying and served on my own airline council. I resigned, in disgust, from BALPA when I became privvy to what the union had done to it's own members over the Dan Air fiasco and failed to get satisfactory answers from CD who was the GS then. That was a dark day in BALPA's past and maybe one that can be exorcised forever now.
You guys now have a real opportunity to change the ethics and previous practices of the union and once again start to represent the true membership, without the back door politics that previously existed. Seize this opportunity and make it happen. There are a lot of good people who give their time freely to assist, who previously did not get represented in the way they deserved. A good union can bring real tangible benefit to aviation by curbing the excesses of both sides, i.e the airlines and the pilots equally. It should also serve to enhance the recognition of the profession as a whole, if in wise hands.
I'll have a drink to your success.
I no longer fly, so the vote does not affect me individually. I was however a member for a good number of years when I was flying and served on my own airline council. I resigned, in disgust, from BALPA when I became privvy to what the union had done to it's own members over the Dan Air fiasco and failed to get satisfactory answers from CD who was the GS then. That was a dark day in BALPA's past and maybe one that can be exorcised forever now.
You guys now have a real opportunity to change the ethics and previous practices of the union and once again start to represent the true membership, without the back door politics that previously existed. Seize this opportunity and make it happen. There are a lot of good people who give their time freely to assist, who previously did not get represented in the way they deserved. A good union can bring real tangible benefit to aviation by curbing the excesses of both sides, i.e the airlines and the pilots equally. It should also serve to enhance the recognition of the profession as a whole, if in wise hands.
I'll have a drink to your success.
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Martin A
<It would certainly NOT be in BALPA's best interest to be headless, thus a FULL time person would seem to be required, not a part timer, even whilst what seems to be search for the real candidate seems to be going forward.>
As I said above, Graham Fowler - the 'FULL TIME' DGS - is more than capable of stepping into the void to run BALPA in the interim.
I am sure that JF will be addressing some of these issues shortly.
<It would certainly NOT be in BALPA's best interest to be headless, thus a FULL time person would seem to be required, not a part timer, even whilst what seems to be search for the real candidate seems to be going forward.>
As I said above, Graham Fowler - the 'FULL TIME' DGS - is more than capable of stepping into the void to run BALPA in the interim.
I am sure that JF will be addressing some of these issues shortly.
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At the opposite end of my career to Horatio I read this with interest. My associate membership of BALPA lapsed when I was no longer a student, and my idea was to join the IPA (I only really wanted legal cover in case my professionalism is ever called into question) when I find a flying job, as I felt that BALPA did not do enough to help British pilots. With such excitement I will have to seriously consider teh alternatives. Well done JF.
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<<Just wonder what CDs pay off will be?>>
Hopefully none, since his term ends at the end of a fixed period between elections. I would expect that his contract was also only for this period - and renewed as and when each election goes in his favour.
Wonder how long MG will be around for (in BALPA terms) as well, given his "unbiased" approach to the election.
NoD
Hopefully none, since his term ends at the end of a fixed period between elections. I would expect that his contract was also only for this period - and renewed as and when each election goes in his favour.
Wonder how long MG will be around for (in BALPA terms) as well, given his "unbiased" approach to the election.
NoD
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Taking your word for the fact that JF has been elected:
Do we now have a vote of confidence/re-election for all those reps that backed CD? Most of their names can be found on CD's website
Do we now have a vote of confidence/re-election for all those reps that backed CD? Most of their names can be found on CD's website
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Many many congratulations John, thank God for Democracy. Hi ho etc and off to the Augean stables!
Good luck - even though this result now means I cannot in conscience award myself a 1% pay rise.
I'm going to have more than ONE drink to celebrate.
ps It will be interesting to read MG's statements from herein!
Good luck - even though this result now means I cannot in conscience award myself a 1% pay rise.
I'm going to have more than ONE drink to celebrate.
ps It will be interesting to read MG's statements from herein!
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Don't get carried away gentlemen !
7750 ballot papers, only 56.4 % returned. The vote for JF represents 37.8 % of the ballot papers issued.
Our employers will be ecstatic - they will smell a disinterested,headless,rudderless set of pilots !
7750 ballot papers, only 56.4 % returned. The vote for JF represents 37.8 % of the ballot papers issued.
Our employers will be ecstatic - they will smell a disinterested,headless,rudderless set of pilots !