BALPA advertise for a new General Secretary - pilots need not apply?
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BALPA advertise for a new General Secretary.
Good to see that things are moving towards appointing a new General Secretary. The Sunday Times ran an ad yesterday with a six figure salary. Significantly the qualifications would seem to rule out a pilot. They seem to be targeting a commercially experienced individual. The words 'proven experience in industrial relations' are somewhat ambiguous. A poacher turned gamekeeper or vice versa? One thing is certain: it is very important that we get a committed individual who is passionate about safety issues and terms and conditions. For my part I would have loved to have seen a rebel pilot front up BALPA. Someone who all of us would instantly identify with and respect. I hope for our sakes that we don't get someone who just feathers his nest . . .
See what happens !
Read on:
BALPA is the second largest Flight Crew Association in the world. As a qualified specialist Aviation Association it successfully protects and improves the professional status, pay and conditions of its members. It has great influence in companies, the Civil Aviation Authority, Government and Parliament, the European Commission and international civil aviation bodies. The Association now seeks to appoint an outstanding General Secretary to lead the organisation through the next critical stage of its development. Contract is for five years renewable, subject to membership ballot in accordance with the provisions of the Trade Union Act.
THE ROLE
• Reporting to the BALPA National Executive Council act as the CEO of the Association providing leadership, strategic direction and day-to-day management. Act as chief negotiator and spokesperson in dealings with external bodies and the media.
• Provide advice to the NEC on the development of polices to protect and advance the interests of its members and the professional interests of flight crew generally. Create and communicate a vision for the future in a deregulated Europe.
• Build strong relationships with operators, regulators, legislators and other Trades Unions, raising profile and influence. Increase membership density whilst preserving the values and unity of the Association. Provide effective leadership to the current team.
THE QUALIFICATIONS
• Highly motivated and commercially orientated general manager with at least ten years' proven experience in industrial relations and Trade Union negotiations. Respected throughout the aviation industry with extensive experience working at a senior level.
• Charismatic visionary with experience of leading change in a varied and highly complex environment. Personal maturity, clarity of thought and intellect to build credibility quickly with key internal and external audiences.
• Excellent leadership skills with ability to inspire and motivate others. First class communicator with well developed interpersonal and negotiation skills. Energetic and enthusiastic with an ability to deliver results through others.
To find out more about this opportunity, and us, visit our website. Please reply with full details to us, quoting Ref. 32213-00. Email: [email protected]
See what happens !
Read on:
BALPA is the second largest Flight Crew Association in the world. As a qualified specialist Aviation Association it successfully protects and improves the professional status, pay and conditions of its members. It has great influence in companies, the Civil Aviation Authority, Government and Parliament, the European Commission and international civil aviation bodies. The Association now seeks to appoint an outstanding General Secretary to lead the organisation through the next critical stage of its development. Contract is for five years renewable, subject to membership ballot in accordance with the provisions of the Trade Union Act.
THE ROLE
• Reporting to the BALPA National Executive Council act as the CEO of the Association providing leadership, strategic direction and day-to-day management. Act as chief negotiator and spokesperson in dealings with external bodies and the media.
• Provide advice to the NEC on the development of polices to protect and advance the interests of its members and the professional interests of flight crew generally. Create and communicate a vision for the future in a deregulated Europe.
• Build strong relationships with operators, regulators, legislators and other Trades Unions, raising profile and influence. Increase membership density whilst preserving the values and unity of the Association. Provide effective leadership to the current team.
THE QUALIFICATIONS
• Highly motivated and commercially orientated general manager with at least ten years' proven experience in industrial relations and Trade Union negotiations. Respected throughout the aviation industry with extensive experience working at a senior level.
• Charismatic visionary with experience of leading change in a varied and highly complex environment. Personal maturity, clarity of thought and intellect to build credibility quickly with key internal and external audiences.
• Excellent leadership skills with ability to inspire and motivate others. First class communicator with well developed interpersonal and negotiation skills. Energetic and enthusiastic with an ability to deliver results through others.
To find out more about this opportunity, and us, visit our website. Please reply with full details to us, quoting Ref. 32213-00. Email: [email protected]
Last edited by Caractacus; 16th Sep 2002 at 14:17.
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no pilots please !
The last thing BALPA needs is a pilot running it , pilots are to close to the problem ( and I include myself ) to see the big picture , in general pilots will trust the people they work with untill provern otherwise and are not "political beasts".
What we need protecting the pilots interests is a hard headed business person who has played all the dirty industrial tricks on an unsuspecting work force , keep this person in line and he/she will serve us well by being one if not two steps ahead of the airline managments.
If the right person for the job has not the first idea about flying then send them off to do a PPL/IMC then at least this would give them an insight into the problems on the flight deck and that is all the right person for the job should need.
I now await the not a free PPL with my money comments from the more myopic members of this forum.
What we need protecting the pilots interests is a hard headed business person who has played all the dirty industrial tricks on an unsuspecting work force , keep this person in line and he/she will serve us well by being one if not two steps ahead of the airline managments.
If the right person for the job has not the first idea about flying then send them off to do a PPL/IMC then at least this would give them an insight into the problems on the flight deck and that is all the right person for the job should need.
I now await the not a free PPL with my money comments from the more myopic members of this forum.
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Fappless,
I can assure you that I belong to the large community of BA pilots that don't care where the next BALPA GS comes from as long as he is effective, not in the Government's and company managements hands and protects all of our interests.
I find it quite insulting that someone like yourself who obviously doesn't know many BA flightcrew lumps us all, and that's 3500 of us, in a very narrow minded category and doesn't credit us with a shred of understanding for the FC community at large. Personally I've worked for Streamline, JEA and run my own aerial photography comapany, I wanted CD out, I also believe that what has been achieved will benefit us all in the entire aviation community. The sooner we stop whingeing about each other and confront the larger issues such as jobs for overseas pilots when none of us could get jobs in their countries, the sooner all of our situations will improve.
Save your enegy for REAL issues. I hope you will be grateful to John F for having the guts to get off his arse and unseat CD. If I'm wrong I'll be prepared to admit it but until then I believe we will ALL be better off.
I'm sure you are a great person!
I can assure you that I belong to the large community of BA pilots that don't care where the next BALPA GS comes from as long as he is effective, not in the Government's and company managements hands and protects all of our interests.
I find it quite insulting that someone like yourself who obviously doesn't know many BA flightcrew lumps us all, and that's 3500 of us, in a very narrow minded category and doesn't credit us with a shred of understanding for the FC community at large. Personally I've worked for Streamline, JEA and run my own aerial photography comapany, I wanted CD out, I also believe that what has been achieved will benefit us all in the entire aviation community. The sooner we stop whingeing about each other and confront the larger issues such as jobs for overseas pilots when none of us could get jobs in their countries, the sooner all of our situations will improve.
Save your enegy for REAL issues. I hope you will be grateful to John F for having the guts to get off his arse and unseat CD. If I'm wrong I'll be prepared to admit it but until then I believe we will ALL be better off.
I'm sure you are a great person!
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A and C you may have a point about pilots not being 'political beasts'. This may apply in general but some are very astute politically. Typically those who rise to be DFO! Such an individual would be an asset to BALPA if, and only, if they were proven to be committed to the cause of the Union.
A 'hard headed business person' sounds like a plausible idea. But, might not such a person take BALPA for a ride? After all, what exactly did we all get from Chris Darke? Not much in my books but he must have done very well for himself. By pilots standards he had an excellent salary and the opportunity to make many influential contacts in high places.
Running a Trade Union must be a conflicting ethic with that of business. Are the Firemen run by a business person?
Ultimately, the BALPA General Secretary must be prepared to take pilots out on strike. This, in the final analysis, is our only reall bargaining stance.
In sum, I think the right individual could come from any background but he must be a trade unionist at heart.
Watching with interest, Caractacus.
A 'hard headed business person' sounds like a plausible idea. But, might not such a person take BALPA for a ride? After all, what exactly did we all get from Chris Darke? Not much in my books but he must have done very well for himself. By pilots standards he had an excellent salary and the opportunity to make many influential contacts in high places.
Running a Trade Union must be a conflicting ethic with that of business. Are the Firemen run by a business person?
Ultimately, the BALPA General Secretary must be prepared to take pilots out on strike. This, in the final analysis, is our only reall bargaining stance.
In sum, I think the right individual could come from any background but he must be a trade unionist at heart.
Watching with interest, Caractacus.
Does anyone know the latest on this one? The only rumour I heard is that Graham Fowler may be getting the job based on the fact that they just cannot find a suitable candidate.
Whatever, we do now need someone to give BALPA some leadership and sense of direction.
Whatever, we do now need someone to give BALPA some leadership and sense of direction.
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The only rumour I heard is that Graham Fowler may be getting the job based on the fact that they just cannot find a suitable candidate.
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the shortlist of candidates is down to 5 people;
there are two from within balpa, both very experienced-
and three external candidates , all from other unions' senior positions
there are two from within balpa, both very experienced-
and three external candidates , all from other unions' senior positions
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Sunshine Express, whether JF did as promised is open to debate. I don't accept that he did but that is my own opinion. If, at the end of this process, we end up with someone who is already working for BALPA as the GS then you'll be happy cos you won't hear from me again - I'll be voting with my standing order. Given that the 'majority' wanted this change I can't believe for a minute that anything other than some charismatic union leader from another organisation would be enough to make the changes that the 'majority' seem to want. For what it is worth I really hope it works out and someone from outside BALPA is brought in.
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Perhaps we need someone like Andy Gilchrist? Whatever your views on the firemans strike (I am a supporter) they have a Trade Union leader who shows leadership and courage.
Did we ever see Chris Darke getting ovations at rallys?
Nope.
I hope they get someone soon who will give BALPA a bit of a lead. I just can't see them finding a commited leader via an executive recruitment consultant.
Isn't it time we had an election and encouraged a pilot to step forward?
After all, it is a political appointment as opposed to a career management post.
Time for some action please.
Did we ever see Chris Darke getting ovations at rallys?
Nope.
I hope they get someone soon who will give BALPA a bit of a lead. I just can't see them finding a commited leader via an executive recruitment consultant.
Isn't it time we had an election and encouraged a pilot to step forward?
After all, it is a political appointment as opposed to a career management post.
Time for some action please.
Controversial, moi?
Perhaps we need someone like Andy Gilchrist? Whatever your views on the firemans strike (I am a supporter) they have a Trade Union leader who shows leadership and courage.
If we get somebody like him I'm off.
Because it has gone quiet don't believe that things are not progressing.
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Yarpy,
The thought of having someone like Andy Gilchrist is appalling! The only thing someone like him, with his bullheaded attitude, would do is to bring our profession into disrepute. I agree that we need someone who shows leadership, which is exactly why we don't need someone like Andy Gilchrist who by his actions has led to his members' popularity with the public declining. If we get someone like him then I foresee a large drop in the membership of BALPA, and if that's not the case, then I'm glad I'm retiring soon while our profession still has a modicum of respect in the eyes of the public.
The thought of having someone like Andy Gilchrist is appalling! The only thing someone like him, with his bullheaded attitude, would do is to bring our profession into disrepute. I agree that we need someone who shows leadership, which is exactly why we don't need someone like Andy Gilchrist who by his actions has led to his members' popularity with the public declining. If we get someone like him then I foresee a large drop in the membership of BALPA, and if that's not the case, then I'm glad I'm retiring soon while our profession still has a modicum of respect in the eyes of the public.
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Flapless,
You are absolutely correct I seem to think that his background was in the Inland Revnue (union?), but I cannot remember his name.
Only time will tell whether he is more effective than the last at galvanising the troops. It is interesting to see the mess that the UK Government has got itself into over the firemen; "2Jags" having tea with the "troops" and pulling one way, "the pickpocket" pulling another and "Our Tone" checking the latest poll returns to see what camp to jump into.
You are absolutely correct I seem to think that his background was in the Inland Revnue (union?), but I cannot remember his name.
Only time will tell whether he is more effective than the last at galvanising the troops. It is interesting to see the mess that the UK Government has got itself into over the firemen; "2Jags" having tea with the "troops" and pulling one way, "the pickpocket" pulling another and "Our Tone" checking the latest poll returns to see what camp to jump into.