Thank you Balpa CC

[jaarrgh]

I would just like to say thank you to the company council members out there who work for free to resolve the issues of others. For the second time in two different companies the CC have resolved fairly major issues on my behalf. One disciplinary (employer's error, recieved an appology from DFO) and one financial (employer's contract, financial settlement). Without them I would have had to battle these issues alone in a new company. So thank you for two very successful resolutions.

[beardy]

Ah, the benefits of an active Company Council and collective action. I only wish more people would see the advantages, not only within a company but also within the industry as a whole.

[Fredairstair]

According to some Cabin Crew, the collective noun for Pilots is a "Tight". Funny and may even be accurate, but it's not a "Thick" so I continue to be surprised that so many fail to see the benefit in the power of well organised and financed representation.

[Dave]

Yes but look how they have stitched us up over the NAPS pension!

To maintain what I was expecting my contributions have to increase by MORE THAN FOUR TIMES (a factor of 4.4 times what I am currently paying).

Is that REASONABLE??? I think not. Is it the best possible result? I think not. Is BALPA subscritiption money well spent? I think not.

[Fly Better!]

I for one can't afford to pay what BALPA charge as I am changing jobs and initially will be taking a big cut in money, however, I would like some form of 'protection' is the IPA worth a look? It is much cheaper but is it worth it? Sorry if it seems like I'm getting off topic but I did some searching in here last night and couldnt get any info.

THanks for any advice.

[PGA]

If BALPA charges you 1% of your salary, which they do, on the whole nothing would change to your cost base.....

[4468]

Dave

Tut, tut, tut. Shame on you!

Expect to be jumped upon from a great hight. This has been a triumph of the highest order by those elected to represent you. The brainwashing is now complete....(Management bonuses all round. Tee hee!)

What you were expecting was for the contract you signed, to be honoured by your employer. How could you be so naive? It was deemed by your representatives to be unaffordable. So now you'll have to pay!

Simply join in the mutual backslapping, and your representatives will do their best to overlook your insolence.

Just try to enjoy flying all those new aircraft, bought with your old pension!

[X-Centric]

Without them I would have had to battle these issues alone in a new company. So thank you for two very successful resolutions.

Jaarrgh, I'm delighted that you have had two positive experiences of BALPA, unfortunately I have had the complete opposite. The first company that I worked for went into receivership. BALPA washed their hands of us, we had no one to represent us, BALPA wouldn't do a damn thing when our former board of directors walked away without paying us any redundancy or even our contractual notice period.

Second dealings with BALPA dealt with dreadful working conditions, dangerous flying & breach of contract. Advice from BALPA's "legal" department: there's nothing we can do, pay up! I, along with three other pilots, represented ourselves & the company completely backed down prior to court action due to a dossier of safety breaches that they themselves couldn't contradict. BALPA will never receive another penny from me, they're good if you fly for BA, possibly?

[xrba]

Welcome to the club X-Centric. Despite specious claims here to the contrary, BALPA has not changed it's spots, which is why I, and most of my DANAIR colleagues would not piss in a BALPA reps lying mouth if their teeth were on fire.