all_purple_now
Lantern Swinger

Not suggesting I am either for or against this, but I would be interested to know what people think about the proposed British Armed Forces Federation (link to extensive discussion on ARRSE)
APN
APN
PompeySailor said:Believe me, I would know if it was ;-)
PompeySailor said:I don't believe that we would ever take industrial action, or even that legally we are allowed to. I would like to see a combination of the BAFF (to essentially provide a Divisional System which covers three services) and the NDA to provide a coherent voice at a political level. My main concern is the fifth column which tend to get involved with these things to either promote their own interests (happened with the Families Feds), or to see them become stagnant jobs for the boys organisations. Something along the lines of the Legion (with a younger outlook!) would be useful, but at the end of the day we will end up with very little clout. All the time we can be placed at the end of a legal order (even one based on tenuous legal statements!), we have no option other than doing the job we are paid for.
Darth_Doctrinus said:What I'd like the BAFF to do for me - Updated!
- 1. Get us a pay rise that actually means something after the additional increase in food, accn and F&L goes in as well. Stop AFPRB dressing up bad news as the exact opposite. Provide independent advice concerning pay and allowances across the piece.
2. Ensure that soldiers' concerns about medals are met with action, not weasel words from some Minister. Our people don't get much recognition for their efforts, and what little they do get must be delivered.
3. A full, open and honest report into the complete debacle that was the rollout of the new pension scheme.
4. A strong voice to shout down the media when appalling one-sided 'stories' are released. Can you imagine Piers Moron getting away with his 'abuse' pictures if the BAFF had been able to jump all over him there and then, using competent and operationally experienced people to counter those allegations, as opposed to the pathetic response from the MoD.
5. Ensure that the spirit of the covenant that exists between our people and our leaders is maintained as fully as possible. Our people are our critical centre of gravity - they are being betrayed.
6. Ensure that TA personnel remain part of the wider family, especially in terms of post-op tour care if required. Additionally to ensure that employers remain engaged, and that families of those serving are also supported.
7. Impartial and balanced legal and financial advice for its members.
8. Provide information on TACOS.
9. Provide advice to members concerning redress, grievances and complaints. This needs to be coupled to an explicit statement from the BAFF that such advice will in no way undermine established process.
10. Provision of a free monthly newsletter keeping all members up-to-date with latest developments.
11. Find out why leave carried forward (part of an entitlement) is allowed to just disappear if you can't actually take it - why can't we be reimbursed for leave not taken?
Added following an ambush of unsuspecting persons at coffee this morning...
Greenie said:Regarding the previous post and leave-item 11-
the Forces pay reflects days in the year served wether on leave or on duty.
So regarding leave not taken due to posting/commitment etc etc no reimbursment would be paid.
They have obviously come into line with civilian practices --- only thing being in civvy street is the fact that we can be spared!!! We don't go away and do long sea drafts away from home!!
chockhead819 said:Ensure that any serviceman/woman who is injured is properly compensated & given proper medical aftercare.
They are not given a letter from MOD saying that they(MOD) Don't have a duty of care so goodbye, thanks for your time but SNLR.
PompeySailor said:Payment for untaken leave will not be happening any time soon. There is a recognised snag with harmony targets being missed and breached, but if you started compensating untaken leave, the fear is that people will deliberately not take leave, or will be co-erced into not taking it. At a certain Army base, we had a guy turn up who had not taken a day's leave in 15 months! His paperwork proved this, he had been persuaded at all points to do swaps, fill in subs, etc, and by the time it came around to his time for leave, he moved on to another unit. Because he was about to start training, his leave had to be further carried forward until the date he was due to leave the unit.
PompeySailor said:Leave is not a privilege for officers, as they don't actually have working hours (ie they cannot be adrift, they are expected to know what their workload is, and to manage it appropriately). They "turn up", they don't "turn to".
PompeySailor said:Anyway, all members of the RN have S52 Leave and Record cards, but Officers and WOs manage their own, they are audited once a year. COs are supposed to ensure that everyone takes all leave due, but the breaching Personnel Functional Standards signals flood 2SLs inbox on a regular basis. Lean manning vs Leave allowances - what do you reckon wins?