Medway Control
I would obviously like band 5 pay but do not expect it. What would be fairer is to narrow the ever widening gap between my Band and Band 5. You are busier and deserve more pay than me but we are upset at the huge gulf and lack of influence within the union. The big boys will always vote for themselves and sod everyone else and management know this and so divide us everytime.
However you get the likes of ROFFA declaring we (he?) is well paid and an ATCO2 top of salary is bringing home close to a 6 figure salary so we maybe should not expect a large pay rise. It's alright for some. I am on 30 odd grand less than that and I work bloody hard for it. We only get a rise because it seems to be embarrassing to NSL that airports outside of NATS pay similar if not better wages than lower band airports within, and those outside are way quieter in traffic terms. If the pension goes then can someone tell me the attraction of working within NSL especially when you are not necessarily in the part of the country you wish to be?
As for the tired old 'stop moaning and come and join us in Band 5 land' comments, we have controllers trying to do that. They cannot be given a release date for the college because of staff shortages, and the college will not interview without a release date. Another is waiting to get on an area course but because again of staff shortages cannot be given a course. And we are talking years not months. How can you plan a life like that?
We should stick together I agree and this is a put up or forever shut up moment. However band 4/5 boys, when you have the carrot dangled infront of you by management/union, because you hold the majority vote, we will see if you look at us behind clinging to your coat tails.