View Poll Results: Should Chris Darke be re-elected as BALPA Gen Sec. (Straw poll)
Yes
59
12.14%
No
427
87.86%
Voters: 486. This poll is closed
Chris Darke to be re-elected!!! Vote
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Join Date: Jul 2000
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Chris Darke to be re-elected!!!
BALPA CCs only have until 1 April 2002 to nominate candidates to oppose Chris "Mugabe" Darke in his quest to be re-elected as the BALPA General Secretary. If there are no other candidates he will be automatically re-elected.. .(I think he was hoping to sneak this past the membership whilst we were all busy trying to stay employed after 11 Sep). . .. .It really is time for him to receive the order of the boot. He has enjoyed double-digit pay rises over the last few years (in 2000 he earned £119,707) and has focused entirely on increasing membership numbers whilst achieving very little for existing members. The BA CC has withdrawn their support for Chris Darke and it appears that Capt. John Frohnsdorff is willing to stand against him on a "return BALPA to its members" platform. Good luck John!!!. .. .Chris Darke - you are the weakest link! Goodbye!. . . . <small>[ 14 March 2002, 13:25: Message edited by: Hot Wings ]</small>
Mistrust in Management
Max_cont,. .. .I don't believe that Hot Wings was trying to say anything of the sort. In my view he was just trying to point out to the BALPA membership that CD was up for re-election. . .. .If any company council wishes to prevent an automatic re-election of CD, then now is the time to nominate another candidate. The more candidates the better to ensure a more democratic process.. .. .Regards. .Exeng
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max_cont - the point that I am trying to make is that Chris Darke is about to be re-elected, whilst the majority of BALPA members don't even realise that an election is taking place. The BA CC has informed its members but other CCs have not because, I can only assume, they prefer things to continue the way they are. It is up to you to suggest suitable candidates to your CC and for your CC to nominate them! Try not to be blinkered by your anti-BA attitude (and don't forget that there are many pilots at BA who have previously worked for other airlines).. .. .Previous postings, about Chris Darke, have indicated that many people are very unhappy about BALPAs leadership and direction, so why should there be a rushed re-election process, when what we need is some open debate and some viable alternatives?
Join Date: May 2001
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Hot Wings, I’m not anti BA. I have been fortunate enough to have been in the position to choose the company I now work for, from several offers of employment including BA. All this was some time ago and while it is true I have at times wondered if I made the correct choice, I have no doubts now. Of course this could change tomorrow and I may still regret not seeking shelter under the BA canopy. . .. .I have never worked for BA, but I have friends who do and they appear unwilling to accept that times have changed. I accept that I speak from very limited knowledge but it appears to me to be a common trait among the pilots I know. BA is still the flag carrier and in my opinion rightly so. But now it does not have the luxury of having un-competitive practises supported by the UK taxpayer. That does not mean that my colleagues and I would not jump at the chance to have similar agreements with our company. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .. .BALPA can only become more affective through an increased membership base. I have been very critical of CD both to his face and to CC members. Competition for his position can only be good, but I would prefer us to concentrate our efforts fighting for our collective good. Taking our eyes off the ball, while we fight amongst ourselves during an election process imposed on us by legislation introduced by an anti union government, helps no one, as was the intention.. .. .Regards max.
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Hot Wings, well done for pointing this out. How sad that such serious discussion items inevitable attract such juvenile idiotic and irrelevant postings as Max Cont with his "I don´t know anything about this, but I want to get an anti BA posting in!". Well done John F- there will be a lot of support for change!
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If you ask me ole "Darke Forces" should really get the heave ho, and bring BALPA back under some sort of pilot control. John is a bloody good bloke who whilst working for the lot on the other side of 27L is not in the union just for BA, and all members would benefit his election. mind you i am not sure exactly how the election process works in this case, i think it is quite arcane. if anyone has any info?
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I hope that Capt John Frohnsdorf applies... and gets elected. He would almost certainly be more effective than cd.. .Compared to the late Mark Young CD has been a massive disappointment - he must go.
Controversial, moi?
I am sure all will become clear but I believe John Frohnsdorff is standing with a view to unseating CD ie a 'stalking horse'.. .. .A manifesto will be published shortly but to summarise the situation JF is standing on a 'Hand back BALPA to the members' platform and the aim is to find & appoint a highly qualified professional.. .. .I believe I am correct in saying that JF will not take a penny piece as General Secretary and will stand down immediately his and his supporters aims have been met.. .. .It is vitally important that all BALPA members take an interest in what is and has been happening. BA members, incidentally, comprise less than 50% of total BALPA membership.. .. .If anybody cares to do some digging they will find that the internal management of BALPA has been a disgrace. The financial control or lack of is a case in point. And has anybody else noticed how the Legal committee has been recently reorganised......at last?. .. .IF CD was running an airline the employees would have been baying for his blood long ago.. .. .The evidence is there if one cares to look.. .. .I expect better for my money.
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John represents all that I would expect from the BALPA Gen Sec. He's a clear thinking, sensible bloke with his heart and mind in the right place. Yes, he may be a BA Capt but that doesn't make him small minded enough to only believe there is one airline in the UK (as certain individuals here are wont to suggest). He's already hot on the financial heals of certain people at Bath Road and I know he would prove a much better man for the job.. .. .He'd certainly get my vote and hopefully his photograph in the front of The Log would be much more pleasing to the eye than Mister-Staring-Wonderingly-At-The-Sky-Darke.. .. .So what has Chris done? Well here's a list:. .. .Told us how many members we've got and had a word with Blair's lot, achieving nothing in the process.. .. .Good riddance to bad rubbish I say.. .. .Chocolates aweigh,. .. .Pontius
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I don't work for BA, but I will certainly support anyone who opposes Chris Darke. I do not think my BALPA subs give me value for money, and the place to start any sort of overhaul of any company is generally at the top.
Join Date: Jan 2002
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As an industry we have suffered greatly over the past six months. Airline managent have used Sept 11th to their advantage to reduce the pilot workforce and bargin for lower terms and conditions. In my company we have lost the longhaul B scale without so much as a decent fight. The "agreement for service" which has been fought for by so many, for many years is under threat. We have seen many co workers forced to take COMPULSARY REDUNDANCY. . .BALPA must be the only union to accept redundancys with such ease. CD has increased membership numbers over the past few years, so the loss of 40 or so members contributing their 1% does not really show up on the balance sheet. . .The loss of just ONE members job through compulsary redundancy should be grounds for Chris Darke to go.
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Quite right to get rid of CD, when we get a replacement let's make sure his Benefit Package is proportionate (this does not mean equal to, just X a factor tbd) to average member's salary and that any rises are based upon rises to the average members salary and not in proportion to increase in membership.
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I agree with the previous post it is time the slippery Mr Darke was "retired". I am sure JF would make a good gen sec but whoever replaces CD must have a remuneration package that reflects the average gains of the membership. EG not 10% plus year on year increases!. .Regards BP