CA S E S T U DY A vital strength during this dispute was continuous solidarity that everyone in BALPA HQ was actively involved in supporting reps and rooting for our members. We had regular meetings, and the dispute support team included industrial experts, a team of lawyers, flight-safety specialists, membership support, communications professionals, and numerous other staff. The solidarity, strength and unity of BALPA was vital to the outcome of the dispute. Conciliation and arbitration union regulations. Although we had the technical capacity to initiate a strike, our priority has always been to explore every possible avenue for reaching a negotiated settlement. Escalating to industrial action is not something to do without considerable confidence in the outcome, which is why meticulous preparation is crucial. This preparation includes maintaining an up-to-date and accurate membership database through regular data-cleansing processes, and carefully reviewing each decision made throughout this journey. The commitment to exhausting all options before resorting to industrial action reflects our dedication to achieving a fair resolution through dialogue rather than confrontation. A vital strength during this dispute was the continuous solidarity and knowledge that members, reps and staff, the whole of BALPA were pulling together, standing strong, and supporting each other with a common aim. There isnt a member of staff in BALPA HQ that wasnt involved in the Bristow dispute in some way, and everyone brings their expertise to the table. That attention to detail is so important and, although members may not have been aware of who was involved behind the scenes, be in no doubt BALPA received messages of support throughout the dispute We continued to meet the company under the auspices of ACAS, with the emphatic ballot in favour of strike action now known. A couple of times, we thought we were close to a breakthrough and delayed the start of the action to see that through, and ideally avoid the need to strike. Industrial action, such as a strike, is not an unavoidable outcome. BALPA consistently seeks avenues to resolve conflicts through negotiation. However, we recognise that industrial action and strikes serve as significant tools in our strategy, and determining the appropriate moment to use this approach is crucial. In this case, once all other avenues had come to dead ends, our members remained resolute. On 25th March, we began the strike action. Our members remained 100 per cent united; not one member broke the strike as a result. We received messages of solidarity from our sister unions around the world, and at our strike centre, in Aberdeen, BALPA members in CHC turned up to show their solidarity every week of the strike. HQ staff and different NEC members hosted the strike centre each week to show their support. The earlier preparation paid dividends and the briefings wed prepared using freedom of information requirements meant that MPs supported our cause. Relationships with journalists meant we were able to create positive media coverage. We kept members informed and supported throughout, via the Aberdeen strike centre and an online strike centre on BALPAs membership website, The Portal. We could say we were very lucky to have such united members in Bristow who remained thoroughly engaged throughout the dispute but theres also a saying that luck is the residue of hard work, which, I think, is more apt here. Im so incredibly proud of our members professionalism in a difficult and acrimonious dispute. They never lost their cool or their discipline. Bristow has more ranks than other companies and our members work across two different industries: Offshore Energy, and Search and Rescue. Nevertheless, the way our members looked out for each other and worked together as a truly united force was inspiring, and crucial to the success of the dispute. Leading from the front were the four members of the Bristow 12 THE LOG Autumn 24 pp10-13 News Extra Bristow.indd 12 13/11/2024 14:17