News: 5th June 2008
CHC UNITED KINGDOM SEARCH AND RESCUE

Search & Rescue members of BALPA have voted overwhelmingly to set up their own Company Council.

Mick Brade, Principal Negotiator could not hide his delight announcing that the ballot had resulted in a magnificent 93% yes vote.

Mick said “This is a very significant step forward and we shall now set about holding elections to fill the four seat Company Council as soon as possible. We have already had an offer from a member to help set up and maintain the UK SAR area on the new BALPA web site.”

Mick went on to say “This vote has given us a green light to move forward. We now have a very real opportunity to address a range of professional and industrial issues that are specific to UK SAR.” “Members can rest assured that we will be working flat out to negotiate a brand new recognition and partnership agreement as a first priority, hopefully this agreement will be a platform for us to build on in readiness for our pay negotiations later this year.”

Mick concluded by saying “In announcing this very positive ballot result, we need to be clear that this is the start of a voyage that will hopefully take us to and beyond SAR harmonisation in 2012.” “We need to put in place a robust organisational structure that will stand us in good stead to meet the opportunities and challenges that will of course come our way.”

NB: Editors note. If you are a BALPA member employed by UK SAR and are interested in either standing for election to the Company Council or you feel able to help the Association in a more informal way, please do not hesitate to contact Mick Brade or Colleen Rawlins for a chat.

Mick Brade mickbrade@balpa.org 07867 521577

Colleen Rawlins colleenrawlins@balpa.org 0208 476 4041