BALPA GS Election - Q & A
 

This is the first time I have posted here.

I & my team will try & answer any Q's you may have.
I will be using my own name until poll closure on the 17th June There is much uncertainty out there & you all deserve answers. We want to give all members a chance to reflect their views.
Please vote this is your unions future.

John Frohnsdorff

Who are you and what is this all about?

For those in any doubt, this thread relates to the forthcoming election for General Secretary of BALPA. Those who are eligible to vote will know that John has put himself up for election against the incumbent.

I would ask that Pprune HQ allow this thread, and apologies to all non-UK and non-balpa readers, but this is an important moment in the association's history.

On behalf of Danny and the team, I ask ALL contributors to keep the thread NON-PERSONAL, refrain from the 'usual' slanging match that so many of these threads descend to, and let's have a reasoned look at the pro's and con's of this election.

Rest assured, should it degenerate, Danny and co will be out with the red pen!

I have a question John:

what took you so long?

good luck.

As I am not a member of BALPA I have followed with interest, as have many others the posts on the threads on this board concerning the forthcoming elections of the BALPA general secretary. It would appear that some members consider that Mr. Darke is not earning the substantial salary that he earns from the considerable subscriptions paid by BALPA members. As his opposition feels it necessary to use this public bulletin board to promote his election campaign to a position in this private organisation, is it possible to infer that for whatever reason the organisation is not, itself giving him this opportunity? Furthermore, in view of the lack of finance that Danny and his colleagues often have to mention suffering in running this BB may I suggest that they offer BALPA a private facility so that its members can get on with their private business in private, and charge a fee commensurate with the subscriptions that BALPA levy!

I'm very happy to be in the IPA.

John
Thanks for standing up for election - it's amazing how you are willing to answer any questions put to you but go to CD's website and there is not a question and answer section - it shows he wants to tell us all how wonderful he is but does not want to have to reply to questions that if he answered truthfully would I have no doubt accelerate his demise.
I find this typical of his leadership style -BALPA as far as the internet is concerned is years behind and has anybody ever seen a forum message from CD.The last time I e mailed him I never even had courtesy of a reply - suddenly we have his own personal website at our disposal and I bet you if you emailed him now you would get the courtesy of a response (before the ballot closes anyway!!) Good Luck

Mr F - good luck to you!

2 questions -

1) I would be concerned if BALPA were left 'rudderless' (I was going to say 'in the dark') following the election - I take it that despite your BALPA experience which you quote, you would not claim to be able to work as GS, so do you have someone in mind to 'fill-in' should MR D be displaced? (ok, I know the answer to 'should' is yes!) Maybe YOU intend to work as GS?

2) How long do you envisage 1) in being?

Ta
Walt

John,

Thanks for providing the chance to have a say in the running of BALPA.

It has been truely depressing not being able to effect any meaningful change up till now.

Regards,
XFO1-11

John

We're all hearing disturbing stories about the state of BALPA's finances. When you have a developing overdraft, you HAVE to do something about it. Is there any area you envisage BALPA will have to change the way it goes about things? If we have to cut our suit according to our cloth........

How do we know that this is the real John Frohnsdorff? Surely anyone could have registered that name.

Airclues

john,

I am a new member to BALPA,I am only a lowley flying instructor,but feel that the membership of BALPA will be of use later on in my career rather than now. I have watched this debate not only on prune but through the BALPA news letters and the thing that I have notice is the fact that the people at the top of BALPA seem very keen to keep CD on the throne so to speak and my question is WHY? and why has he been allowed to go on uncontested? somewhat unhealthy in me opinion. Just look at the problems facing the lottery.
You now have my vote, this is due to the fact that recent information regarding CD's other interests somewhat alarms me.

The person who eventually gains his position should be wholly committed to BALPA and no one else, considering that the post commands a somewhat hansom salary.

I do hope that BALPA continues to go from strength to strength in the future, and continues to provide us with protection we all need not just now but in times to come, as profits etc get tighter we the aircrew will be the ones to bear the brunt of our employers decisions and sensible wholly comitted represetation is what we will need.

Cpt Airclues - please accept my assurance that this is the genuine article.

Do watch out, however, for similar names with incorrect spaces, underscores and the like - as I am sure we will see them.

I even saw 'Chris Darke' register the name today (Friday)

Gyrohead

I am sorry the thread was not made clear. I have not been on PPruNe before and it is new to me. I will try to get the thread name changed to something clearer.

I am one of the two candidates for the position of BALPA GS.

Regards,
John.

Fantom,

The post only comes up for re-election every five years. This would have been CD’s second uncontested term if I had not come forward.

Regards,
John

P.Pilcher

It is true that I do not have the resources available to the incumbent GS. For instance his access to Log to promote his views and additionally the letters sent out by the NEC Chairman.

All I have is my manifesto to get my message across to every one that this is not a BA takeover of BALPA.

My aim is to find a replacement GS that is acceptable to ALL and will bring the association together again. I will then resign.

Your comment about Danny is well taken. We are at present moving away from CS forum use. I shall enquire whether there is a possibility of moving to PPruNE.

I would like to be in a position to make you happier with BALPA than IPA.

Regards,
John

Africacore,

Thanks for your support.

Regards,
John

Flt_It_w_mitty,

I would not be happy myself if BALPA where to be left rudderless; this will not happen. We do have qualified people that will be interested in applying for the GS position; additionally it is the intent to advertise the position to make sure we get the best person for the job. I will fill the position in the interim; please remember I have extensive NEC experience.

I would hope to have someone mutually acceptable to all within a few months.

Regards,
John.

XFO,

Well; you have a say now!

Regards,
John

Notso,

We have to make serious changes to the way our finances are handled. We must get a more accountable system in place.

The original ten year projection of income over expenditure makes depressing reading.

The subscription income would be adequate if we had better pay rises for our members; this in turn would help BALPA.

Regards,
John

Captain Airclues;

BOAC can confirm the source.

Regards,
John