Ipa or Balpa
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
From: HON121º/14 NM
I left BALPA because I thought they could not provide value for money. The CC reps gave up the job in our company because they had so little support from BALPA against a company that rode rough shod over the supposed agreement between the union and themselves. Not only that, but BALPA did nothing to notify the members, and we had no CC for 6 months.
More generally, I can not believe that they have let the industry get away with being allowed to make pilots pay for type-ratings with absolutely no comment what so ever. At the very least it could have been allowed to support the industry through the lean periods, but now that companies are really having to work at recruitment (ie demand out strips supply), it sstill goes on, and has become common practice in all but a handful of airlines.
If you want a union with a pilot bias, try the IPF: if not, TGWU. Save yourself a bomb every year.
More generally, I can not believe that they have let the industry get away with being allowed to make pilots pay for type-ratings with absolutely no comment what so ever. At the very least it could have been allowed to support the industry through the lean periods, but now that companies are really having to work at recruitment (ie demand out strips supply), it sstill goes on, and has become common practice in all but a handful of airlines.
If you want a union with a pilot bias, try the IPF: if not, TGWU. Save yourself a bomb every year.
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: uk
Definitely IPA/IPF for me.
I have been made redundant in the past and BALPA just didn't come up with the goods - all be it a long time ago.
In my current airline the CC try their hardest but in my opinion are not supported enough by BALPA. The CC should not be expected to negotiate directly with the Company - they should be there to take the votes and pass on the info. to BALPA who should then do the negotiating.
The more that join the IPF the closer we will get to having a real alternative.
I have been made redundant in the past and BALPA just didn't come up with the goods - all be it a long time ago.
In my current airline the CC try their hardest but in my opinion are not supported enough by BALPA. The CC should not be expected to negotiate directly with the Company - they should be there to take the votes and pass on the info. to BALPA who should then do the negotiating.
The more that join the IPF the closer we will get to having a real alternative.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: Peoples Republic of EU
I've just resigned from the IPA as they've increased the subscription to £11. I've been a member for 6 or 7 years (joined at the same time as BALPA) and in that time they were great for keeping an ear to the ground and getting employment information.
They had a flagging out campaign a while back but that sums up 6 years of membership. They try hard but have no "clout" whatsoever. I saw £11 as unneccessary expenditure seeing as I'm in a BALPA recognised company.
BALPA subs work out about £19 after tax relief and for that I get an awful lot more. I also pay through BALPA Financial Services for a Loss of Licence policy which they offer.
Nothing is perfect but some are more perfect than others
They had a flagging out campaign a while back but that sums up 6 years of membership. They try hard but have no "clout" whatsoever. I saw £11 as unneccessary expenditure seeing as I'm in a BALPA recognised company.
BALPA subs work out about £19 after tax relief and for that I get an awful lot more. I also pay through BALPA Financial Services for a Loss of Licence policy which they offer.
Nothing is perfect but some are more perfect than others
