Merged: ASA Staff Shortage
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Merged: ASA Staff Shortage
In a brilliant move, ASA CEO Greg Russell has solved the ATC staffing shortage. He has shamed the controllers into giving up what was clearly orchestrated industrial action.
It's good news for all concerned. There will be no more TIBA. There is no shortage, and the non-existent shortage that isn't there will be solved within a month. The sooner controllers, sorry, renegades give up on their industrial agenda and work on more of their days off, the better off everyone with at-risk remuneration will be.
http://http://www.theage.com.au/nati...0725-3l2x.html
I have to say, it is a brilliant HR strategy. All those planning on, or thinking about, resigning will appreciate the clear leadership shown. Anyone thinking about having a day off needs to think about their priorities, as well.
I am certain Kerry O'Brien would love to have Greg on for an interview to gain further insight into his awesome leadership. Greg should probably attend Senate Estimates and correct the outright incompetence displayed by Mr. Harfield when he LIED to the committee and told them there was an over-reliance by AsA on overtime.
Just awesome.
It's good news for all concerned. There will be no more TIBA. There is no shortage, and the non-existent shortage that isn't there will be solved within a month. The sooner controllers, sorry, renegades give up on their industrial agenda and work on more of their days off, the better off everyone with at-risk remuneration will be.
http://http://www.theage.com.au/nati...0725-3l2x.html
I have to say, it is a brilliant HR strategy. All those planning on, or thinking about, resigning will appreciate the clear leadership shown. Anyone thinking about having a day off needs to think about their priorities, as well.
I am certain Kerry O'Brien would love to have Greg on for an interview to gain further insight into his awesome leadership. Greg should probably attend Senate Estimates and correct the outright incompetence displayed by Mr. Harfield when he LIED to the committee and told them there was an over-reliance by AsA on overtime.
Just awesome.
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for those not in the know reading the article where it says "service interruptions have soared in frequency in the last 8 months"
hmm.... if memory serves, that was about the time that 108 controllers were "promoted" into Line managers, who no longer control traffic.... but I'm sure there's no correlation there. At all.
hmm.... if memory serves, that was about the time that 108 controllers were "promoted" into Line managers, who no longer control traffic.... but I'm sure there's no correlation there. At all.
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From that article
Does that mean that managers will be told to go back and work traffic ?
Mr Russell concedes a shortage of 17, but believes the problem will be overcome within a month.
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It is also interesting that you can date the sudden upsurge in TIBA almost to the day of the last SDE changes. Before that, TIBA was almost unheard of.
One of the few occurrences was in the mid to late 90's in the old Melbourne Centre - there was a social function organised by the Team Leader for those sectors that went TIBA and no replacements could be found for the controllers who went "sick" on that particular Saturday night. That TL just happens to be a current GM.
What is particularly galling about the current situation is that 2nd, 3rd and even 4th level managers who not so long ago were willing to partake of the sick leave entitlements available to controllers are now the most vocal in condemning current controllers for exercising those entitlements and, indeed, obligations.
Looks like it is now "two legs good, four legs bad".
One of the few occurrences was in the mid to late 90's in the old Melbourne Centre - there was a social function organised by the Team Leader for those sectors that went TIBA and no replacements could be found for the controllers who went "sick" on that particular Saturday night. That TL just happens to be a current GM.
What is particularly galling about the current situation is that 2nd, 3rd and even 4th level managers who not so long ago were willing to partake of the sick leave entitlements available to controllers are now the most vocal in condemning current controllers for exercising those entitlements and, indeed, obligations.
Looks like it is now "two legs good, four legs bad".
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undervaluedATC,
lets not forget those controllers that had to give up half their endorsements with the introduction of the wonderfully inefficient Service Delivery Environment.
Also JH in his Waypoint speech said that 15700 (1.4 per staff member per month) shifts were lost to absenteeism from a workforce of 900 yet those nine hundred only averaged 1.2 OT shifts per month equating to OT of 12960 shifts by my calculations. Surely with 2740 unfilled shifts plus another 4500 odd for the 18 positions short (total average of 19.8 a day) we would have seen even more TIBA. Unless of course someone has fudged the numbers hoping no one would look into it too closely.
My feeling is that sick leave numbers have been overstated and OT numbers understated to pin this on controllers. Even the delivery demonstrates this, sick leave in one large sum, OT divided up on a per controller per month basis. Classic spin doctoring.
It's a shame that the media either push their agenda or fall for spin. Though maybe I'm just a conspiracy theorist, after all, I'm apparently a renegade.
lets not forget those controllers that had to give up half their endorsements with the introduction of the wonderfully inefficient Service Delivery Environment.
Also JH in his Waypoint speech said that 15700 (1.4 per staff member per month) shifts were lost to absenteeism from a workforce of 900 yet those nine hundred only averaged 1.2 OT shifts per month equating to OT of 12960 shifts by my calculations. Surely with 2740 unfilled shifts plus another 4500 odd for the 18 positions short (total average of 19.8 a day) we would have seen even more TIBA. Unless of course someone has fudged the numbers hoping no one would look into it too closely.
My feeling is that sick leave numbers have been overstated and OT numbers understated to pin this on controllers. Even the delivery demonstrates this, sick leave in one large sum, OT divided up on a per controller per month basis. Classic spin doctoring.
It's a shame that the media either push their agenda or fall for spin. Though maybe I'm just a conspiracy theorist, after all, I'm apparently a renegade.
Last edited by Driscoll; 26th Jul 2008 at 00:30. Reason: should proof read then post
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lets not forget those controllers that had to give up half their endorsements with the introduction of the wonderfully inefficient Service Delivery Environment
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From his (JH) own figures, only 38% of overtime is due to sick leave. 38% is for staff shortage and the remainder is for training and leave etc. Now to me (and anyone for that matter), training and leave are a requirement of the roster so therefore are covered by staff shortage(nice spin JH). This means that a STAGGERING 62% of overtime is to cover staff shortages due insufficient total numbers BEFORE SICK LEAVE.
Now, as per more of his figures, each staff member has 1.5 days extra attendance a month allocated to them to cover the needs of the ALM. With this now additional 62% Due Staff Shortage on top of that, that an additional 1.7 days is required. Now, as that adds up to 3.2 which is more than 3, just as the absolute base requirement per controller is 4 days a month overtime just to keep the doors open.
That means NEVER EVER having a 2 day 'weekend'. EVER.
Are we getting it yet? TIBA is not happening due to sick leave. TIBA is happening because that fool TFN sat there with a worried look on one of his two faces three years ago and nodded at everything we told him was wrong with the place staffing wise the CUT STAFF FURTHER.
How dare you blame the controllers. Pathetic.
Now, as per more of his figures, each staff member has 1.5 days extra attendance a month allocated to them to cover the needs of the ALM. With this now additional 62% Due Staff Shortage on top of that, that an additional 1.7 days is required. Now, as that adds up to 3.2 which is more than 3, just as the absolute base requirement per controller is 4 days a month overtime just to keep the doors open.
That means NEVER EVER having a 2 day 'weekend'. EVER.
Are we getting it yet? TIBA is not happening due to sick leave. TIBA is happening because that fool TFN sat there with a worried look on one of his two faces three years ago and nodded at everything we told him was wrong with the place staffing wise the CUT STAFF FURTHER.
How dare you blame the controllers. Pathetic.
Last edited by tobzalp; 26th Jul 2008 at 07:25.
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ALM's for ATC
I have an idea Greg, how about getting your non-endorsed ALM's (around 100 or so) to get the "headset" out of mothballs and pony-up, you pay them around 173-185 000, get some more "bang for your bucks" (so to speak!!).
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Every time I get homesick and think about coming back I read about this crap...'Hun would you mind if we just stayed here till retirement?'
You guys are in the midst of the industrial game now hold the line and F*%$ what Joe Public or the commercial press thinks (don't sweat the analogous '89 Pliot's strike cause Civil Air just isn't that reckless).
History Lesson
When I finished college and started work on a Bass Strait oil rig in 1989 I was making nearly $20K a year more than my father as a Arrivals (Area) controller after he worked every O/T he could get (I was working 4 weeks on 4 weeks off plus 4 weeks annual leave).
You guys are in the midst of the industrial game now hold the line and F*%$ what Joe Public or the commercial press thinks (don't sweat the analogous '89 Pliot's strike cause Civil Air just isn't that reckless).
History Lesson
When I finished college and started work on a Bass Strait oil rig in 1989 I was making nearly $20K a year more than my father as a Arrivals (Area) controller after he worked every O/T he could get (I was working 4 weeks on 4 weeks off plus 4 weeks annual leave).
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I posted this elsewhere but think it is pertinent
TIBA is not a result of looking forward at the upcoming EBA, but actually looking back at the way we have been used and ignored for the last 10 years.
We are actually recompensed for coming in our days off, but are tired of having to do it.
Tired of telling them for years there is a staffing problem.
Tired of being told for years that there is no staffing problem.
Tired of BS press releases that say that ASA were unaware of the problem.
Tired of assurances that they are now aware and it is now being addressed.
Tired of bloated management structures.
Tired of being tired.
Tired of letting our families down.
Tired of not being released for jobs we have won.
Tired of weasel words.
And Tired of being slandered in the media.
ASA have said they are recruiting 95 controllers this year and 100 next year, THEY ARE NOT. They are ATTEMPTING to recruit TRAINEES. They want people who have a degree (to show they can study),and who have some workforce experience (to show they can work) for this they are willing to offer $35k p.a. There is no guarantee they will get through after 18 months. Washout is tracking around 50%.
The people we REALLY need, are already probably earning around $50k and are smart enough to realise why take a drop in pay to work for that, and have no guarantee of a job, and then take 13 years to get to the ceiling(@135k), work shiftwork, Xmas , Easter, and can be rung 24/7/ 365 to attend . The people we really want will probably be making our top money in 10 years where they are with no ceiling and no shiftwork.
The 63% quoted payrise was not suggested for CONTROLLERS, it was suggested to attract suitable applicants to get them to apply. We are not asking for 63%. We suggested somewhere over $52K would be what ASA should be advertising to get the right people, so we don't waste expensive training resources on people who can't make it.
The spin doctors leapt on this and fed it to their tame reporter mates getting them to quote 63%,63%,63% which I notice has now crept to 64% in The Age article .
Since then its all been about ASA damage control. You can only keep drawing on your controllers goodwill, and pride in keeing the airspace open for so long, and ASA passed it about 12 months ago. When they took 106 controllers off the line by offering up to 100% pay increases to sign AWAs and become managers Some have less than 2 years experience.
They no longer manage aircraft, they manage 'people' , it is about one $160-185k manager to 10 controllers.
Who is co-erced into yet again filling the management induced holes in the roster.
I have had enough, I am looking back 10 years, not looking forward to an EBA that is still 5 months away.
When ASA own up to their mistakes, and I CAN SEE (not BS press releases that have no basis in fact) that they are taking REAL steps to address the staffing problems that they have created, and that the light at the end of the tunnel isn't another freight train, then I will be willing to leave my family and work on MY DAYS OFF to alleviate TIBA.
TIBA is not a result of looking forward at the upcoming EBA, but actually looking back at the way we have been used and ignored for the last 10 years.
We are actually recompensed for coming in our days off, but are tired of having to do it.
Tired of telling them for years there is a staffing problem.
Tired of being told for years that there is no staffing problem.
Tired of BS press releases that say that ASA were unaware of the problem.
Tired of assurances that they are now aware and it is now being addressed.
Tired of bloated management structures.
Tired of being tired.
Tired of letting our families down.
Tired of not being released for jobs we have won.
Tired of weasel words.
And Tired of being slandered in the media.
ASA have said they are recruiting 95 controllers this year and 100 next year, THEY ARE NOT. They are ATTEMPTING to recruit TRAINEES. They want people who have a degree (to show they can study),and who have some workforce experience (to show they can work) for this they are willing to offer $35k p.a. There is no guarantee they will get through after 18 months. Washout is tracking around 50%.
The people we REALLY need, are already probably earning around $50k and are smart enough to realise why take a drop in pay to work for that, and have no guarantee of a job, and then take 13 years to get to the ceiling(@135k), work shiftwork, Xmas , Easter, and can be rung 24/7/ 365 to attend . The people we really want will probably be making our top money in 10 years where they are with no ceiling and no shiftwork.
The 63% quoted payrise was not suggested for CONTROLLERS, it was suggested to attract suitable applicants to get them to apply. We are not asking for 63%. We suggested somewhere over $52K would be what ASA should be advertising to get the right people, so we don't waste expensive training resources on people who can't make it.
The spin doctors leapt on this and fed it to their tame reporter mates getting them to quote 63%,63%,63% which I notice has now crept to 64% in The Age article .
Since then its all been about ASA damage control. You can only keep drawing on your controllers goodwill, and pride in keeing the airspace open for so long, and ASA passed it about 12 months ago. When they took 106 controllers off the line by offering up to 100% pay increases to sign AWAs and become managers Some have less than 2 years experience.
They no longer manage aircraft, they manage 'people' , it is about one $160-185k manager to 10 controllers.
Who is co-erced into yet again filling the management induced holes in the roster.
I have had enough, I am looking back 10 years, not looking forward to an EBA that is still 5 months away.
When ASA own up to their mistakes, and I CAN SEE (not BS press releases that have no basis in fact) that they are taking REAL steps to address the staffing problems that they have created, and that the light at the end of the tunnel isn't another freight train, then I will be willing to leave my family and work on MY DAYS OFF to alleviate TIBA.
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One Bass controller won a Melbourne TCU job but now that another Bass controller has resigned he can't be released to Melbourne TCU even though they are about 5 staff short. Go figure! 
There's no point applying for an internal transfer because there's never any realistic chance to be released.
Looks like external applications are the only way to move out of where you are.....hmmm now there's an idea.
BTW the exodus has begun, the Irish won't be short staffed for much longer.
How many are due to leave by the end of the year, I know of around 7-10 who will be gone by the end of this year. But of course we will still be only 18 short.
There's no point applying for an internal transfer because there's never any realistic chance to be released.
Looks like external applications are the only way to move out of where you are.....hmmm now there's an idea.
BTW the exodus has begun, the Irish won't be short staffed for much longer.
How many are due to leave by the end of the year, I know of around 7-10 who will be gone by the end of this year. But of course we will still be only 18 short.
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ASA Solves Staff Shortage
Ah! that explains why my friend down in Melbourne tells me that the simulator next door is empty most of the time. 10 work stations gathering dust.
Ah! that explains why my friend down in Melbourne tells me that the simulator next door is empty most of the time. 10 work stations gathering dust.
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I am certain Kerry O'Brien would love to have Greg on for an interview to gain further insight into his awesome leadership.
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ASA management
Have had a few rants today, won't waste any time here.
TFN for the sake of ASA, go away please.
You do not deserve to be our CEO, you are a disgrace.
Why on earth are you still here, surely you can't do anymore damage. Well actually maybe you still can , I guess you could really stuff up the EBA just to try and make a name for yourself.
You must have a massive ego as you obviously are not concerned with how you might be remembered by those whom you have effected whilst charged with the governance of the organisation. What was previously a great organisation.
I'll finish by stating that whilst Bernie was the boss he was sure to do the rounds, shook his hand plenty of times, when you took over all you could do was send out a DVD hoping the masses would throng to your show, never saw it, have'nt seen your nasty head in all the years you have been our alleged saviour, if you turned up I could promise I would not give you the time of day.
I do not support you or your direction of my organisataion, the organisation that through my training I have dedicated a large part of my life, you will come and go and not give a rats arse for the place or the people.
DO US ALL A FAVOUR A NICK OFF A HOLE!
BgTFN
TFN for the sake of ASA, go away please.
You do not deserve to be our CEO, you are a disgrace.
Why on earth are you still here, surely you can't do anymore damage. Well actually maybe you still can , I guess you could really stuff up the EBA just to try and make a name for yourself.
You must have a massive ego as you obviously are not concerned with how you might be remembered by those whom you have effected whilst charged with the governance of the organisation. What was previously a great organisation.
I'll finish by stating that whilst Bernie was the boss he was sure to do the rounds, shook his hand plenty of times, when you took over all you could do was send out a DVD hoping the masses would throng to your show, never saw it, have'nt seen your nasty head in all the years you have been our alleged saviour, if you turned up I could promise I would not give you the time of day.
I do not support you or your direction of my organisataion, the organisation that through my training I have dedicated a large part of my life, you will come and go and not give a rats arse for the place or the people.
DO US ALL A FAVOUR A NICK OFF A HOLE!
BgTFN
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Stimulation Anyone?
Does anyone in the TC know what plans may be afoot regarding the utilisation of the new sim and the timescales of any App and Twr courses that may be planned? Also, noticed that ASA were advertising for TC staff a while back. Any new faces in the TC? If anyone would care to PM me Id be interested in knowing a little more about the current modus operandi of the place.
Thanks
DogGone
Thanks
DogGone
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Also heard that TFN and entourage were in ML at the College being filmed by 7.30 report.They showed off the flash new tower sim and were asked by the crew if they could film it in action. 'Aaaahhh... we don't actually have any trainees'.
TFN trots out the number 972 controllers. I'm stuffed if I can find the missing 220 though. Not on any daysheets I've seen.
Supposed to be on air last night, but didn't . Tonight maybe?
TFN trots out the number 972 controllers. I'm stuffed if I can find the missing 220 though. Not on any daysheets I've seen.
Supposed to be on air last night, but didn't . Tonight maybe?
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from www.civilair.asn.au
Press Release
Today's confirmation that Airservices Australia doesn't have enough instructors to train new air traffic controllers means airspace closures are set to continue - despite Airservices' promise that it would fix Australia's chronic shortage of air traffic controllers by September 1.
Today's Sydney Morning Herald reports that Airservices has recruits filling time on pilot simulators despite its promise the Senate Estimates Committee to train 80 to 100 recruits per year for the next five years.
Recruits are training themselves on simulators, without supervision from instructors, because of staff shortages at the Melbourne training academy.
Peter McGuane, executive secretary of Civil Air, says today's revelations are another major embarrassment for Australia's aviation safety provider which will struggle to train 60 new recruits a year.
"Thanks to Airservices cutbacks, poor planning, and a reorganisation that turned 100 air traffic controllers into managers, Australia is short by more than 100 air traffic controllers.
"An overseas recruiting effort attracted only 25 of the target of 40-80 overseas air traffic controllers.
"Meanwhile Australian air traffic controllers are heading overseas for the better wages and conditions offered in the global marketplace or reaching retirement age.
"The result of this has been increasing sectors of unsupervised air space, where pilots have to monitor each others' position.
"Airservices CEO Greg Russell has promised that by September 1 Airservices would have adequate trained staff and there would be no more air space closures.
"Air traffic controllers are doing their best - rostered to work around the clock, covering reasonable overtime for roster shortfalls or ill colleagues - but the system is near collapse and that's the employer's responsibility.
"The shortage of air traffic controllers flows into a shortage of instructors at the training academy, and the training for each new recruit takes up to two years.
Airservices claims a national shortage of only 17 air traffic controllers. Their union, Civil Air, believes the real figure is more than 100.
Media enquiries should be directed to:
Peter McGuane, Executive Secretary 0412 538 336
Andrew Taylor 0411 156 797
very interested to see how TFN fixes the staffing problem by end end of august - in 5 days time.
Press Release
August 26, 2008
Can't retain, can't recruit ... and now can't trainToday's confirmation that Airservices Australia doesn't have enough instructors to train new air traffic controllers means airspace closures are set to continue - despite Airservices' promise that it would fix Australia's chronic shortage of air traffic controllers by September 1.
Today's Sydney Morning Herald reports that Airservices has recruits filling time on pilot simulators despite its promise the Senate Estimates Committee to train 80 to 100 recruits per year for the next five years.
Recruits are training themselves on simulators, without supervision from instructors, because of staff shortages at the Melbourne training academy.
Peter McGuane, executive secretary of Civil Air, says today's revelations are another major embarrassment for Australia's aviation safety provider which will struggle to train 60 new recruits a year.
"Thanks to Airservices cutbacks, poor planning, and a reorganisation that turned 100 air traffic controllers into managers, Australia is short by more than 100 air traffic controllers.
"An overseas recruiting effort attracted only 25 of the target of 40-80 overseas air traffic controllers.
"Meanwhile Australian air traffic controllers are heading overseas for the better wages and conditions offered in the global marketplace or reaching retirement age.
"The result of this has been increasing sectors of unsupervised air space, where pilots have to monitor each others' position.
"Airservices CEO Greg Russell has promised that by September 1 Airservices would have adequate trained staff and there would be no more air space closures.
"Air traffic controllers are doing their best - rostered to work around the clock, covering reasonable overtime for roster shortfalls or ill colleagues - but the system is near collapse and that's the employer's responsibility.
"The shortage of air traffic controllers flows into a shortage of instructors at the training academy, and the training for each new recruit takes up to two years.
Airservices claims a national shortage of only 17 air traffic controllers. Their union, Civil Air, believes the real figure is more than 100.
Media enquiries should be directed to:
Peter McGuane, Executive Secretary 0412 538 336
Andrew Taylor 0411 156 797
very interested to see how TFN fixes the staffing problem by end end of august - in 5 days time.