I'm afraid it's the same old story. So many 412 Captains have left and only two appeared with two more promised. But with the new Bristow Group way the powers say that we can manage. When they see we can't it'll be too late to hire, licence or validate and line train any pilots to cover the shortfall which threatens (in the case of Eket) the contractual requirements.
Only time will tell...........
Bristow Nigeria Delays the Bad News about (no) Pay Rise
But GMIA, surely matters will be enormously helped by the Bristow Group announcement on pay ? Instead of an annual pay review announced on 1 July an announcement available freely to all employees whose name begins with an X and who were born between 1 April 2009 and 32 December 2006 has stated that there is plenty of money in the kitty to pay fabulously expensive international accountants Deboyis Touched to carry out another meaningless review which will explain fully and frankly to all staff why the rise this year is just another 0.25% on basic in line with Richard Burman's frank and informative announcement on the company intranet on the need for all to have realistic expectations for this year's pay review . It's probably to cover unannounced and unexplained losses in the pension fund .
Target Zero, COBI, Bristow Group Communication Skills, 419, employee cons, meaningless buzz words are all synonyms for no change and business as usual in Bristow It's becoming obvious that even Caverton are more open, more honest and more professional and that the new 'Bristow' has nothing remotely in common with the company founded by Alan Bristow and which (sadly) for him bears his name
If you've read this far, you're fired because all news about the pay review must be kept under wraps and under no circumstances be passed on to employees officially
I must plead guilty to robbing the Pension Fund.....upon finally living long enough to qualify for retirement from Bristow (something I did mostly away from their loving embrace), I elected to withdraw my paltry sum in one lump payment.
That must have been the cause of any shortage as they did not exactly been over backwards getting the transfer done.
Granted the delay and lack of enthusiasm was at the AON side of the house and not Redhill.
What is happen with our pay? Surely they must be paying more for Eket or of not they don't care if this operation is finish for them . Well, I supposed that Calverton will just come in with its 412s. There Operations Director use to fly for Mobil and Madame Oni is no longer in Nigeria to rescue Bristow and its dreadful managements which have become even worse this year
Why did Bristow wait until the pay review is actually due before they decided to carry out a survey using an expensive consultancy ? Why not do it in time to complete the review on time ? Or am I being cynical ?
Now they can look you in the eye and brag how they have an outsider review the situation and upon receipt of the report at some unspecified point in the future.....will then be able to do what is right by the hired help.
Can you say "delay or stall"?
But then that begs the question....why have a HR department with assorted drones only to pay outside consultants to do the work of the HR department?
Perhaps if they fired the HR department and hire one clerk typist to fill out the forms and let the CE and CP (in Bristow's structure...Engineering Manager and Flying Superintendent) do the hiring things would be a bit better.
Knowing Bristow....The Majah and PeeWee comedy team would move up and share that office thus as usual Bristow would find the exact best way to make a bad situation worse.
Perhaps they should bring in Tyreburst to rescue the situation as he has world renown management abilities specializing in HR issues.
How right you are We keep getting told everything is fine and that there are enough pilots and engineers to go around when there obviously aren't. Then a last minute survey about how we work. What planet is the moron who ordered this late poll from ??
I hear another two pilots resigned from Eket last week. That place really has a problem retaining people and replacements are not exactly queuing out the door When will the Mannijment realise they are going to end up paying more in penalties than they are saving by letting the guys rot in terrible conditions ?
OK the 2 from Eket and the 1 from Escravos are a start to the sweepstake. The real money must be on how many more go from Eket and another sweepstake as to when the Bristow operation there finishes
Meanwhile, after the kidnapping of 2 germans from construction giant Julius Berger, from a heavily protected, armed escorted convoy in Port Harcourt on Friday, MEND have announced an end to their ceasefire and made a specific threat to target British nationals as the press announcement from Jomo Gbomo makes clear:
Quote:
From: Jomo Gbomo
Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 23:36:39 -0700
Subject: Warning to Gordon Brown & Resumption of Hostilities
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) wishes to sound a stern warning to the British Prime Minister, Mr Gordon Brown over his recent statement offering to provide military support to the illegal government of Umaru Yar'Adua in further oppressing the impoverished people of the Niger Delta.
To demonstrate our seriousness to the UK support of an injustice, MEND will be calling off its unilateral ceasefire with effect from midnight, saturday July 12, 2008.
Mr Yar'Adua in a fraudulent appeal to the G8 leaders in Japan, misled the international community into believing that the unrest and agitation in the region is due to oil theft which encourages "blood oil".
The international community and independent researchers are very well aware that the unrest in the region is as a result of over five decades of oil exploration that has developed other parts of Nigeria to the detriment of the environment and people of the Niger Delta.
The United Kingdom is part of this problem with the politics it played pre- independence that gave leverage to some sections of the country which has helped in marginalizing and exploiting the region today.
Should Gordon Brown make good his threat to support this criminality for the sake of oil, UK citizens and interests in Nigeria will suffer the consequences.
Jomo Gbomo
But that's okay, as far as Bristow is concerned they have a stack of applications from suitably qualified pilots and why shouldn't they delay any announcement on a pay review - all the big oggas sitting on their fat asses in their safe, air-conditioned offices don't have to put up with the daily danger and cr@p conditions in the Niger Delta
If MEND were ever to snatch the Majah....in short order they would be paying Bristow to take him back!
Hopefully, NEO will be safe as long as he dresses in local mufti and adopts a Scouse dialect.....MEND would reckon he is from one of the Lost Tribes or something.
As to comparing the air con'ed office life to a working stiff's life in salubrious Eket....Pearl of the Niger Delta....why dear boy...you are catered to beyond compare....why you can even take three forths of your daily per diem home for leave expenses. What reason do you have to complain?
Paper cuts, and tea stains on your shirt far exceeds whatever imagined hardship you dream up to whine about.
Where's that lick upper stick.....errrrrr....stiff upper lip?
We advise against all travel to the Delta States (Delta, Bayelsa and River States, including Port Harcourt) and advise British nationals in these States to leave. We also advise against all travel to riverine areas of Cross River State (i.e. the river and swamp locations on or close to the coast accessible by boat, but not by road). We advise British nationals in these areas to leave. We also advise against all but essential travel to Akwa Ibom State. This is because of the very high risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other armed attacks in these areas. Since January 2006, 36 British nationals (including one child) and more than 180 other foreign nationals have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta area, with one British national being killed.
On 10 July, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) announced that it would end its ceasefire from midnight on 12 July 2008, and threatened to attack British interests in Nigeria. We believe that armed groups may be planning further attacks on oil and gas industry targets in the Delta, and on other non-oil and gas industry targets and individuals throughout the country. The high risk of further kidnappings by armed militants around the oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta also applies to ships and oil rigs at sea off the coast of the Niger Delta. Since 2007 there has been an increase in attacks offshore. On 19 June, an oil production platform 120km offshore was attacked, and a US citizen abducted from a nearby support vessel. On 21 October 2007, in a violent armed attack on an offshore support vessel, three expatriates were abducted. On 27 September 2007, an oil company compound outside Port Harcourt was attacked. One Colombian oil worker was killed and two other expatriates kidnapped.
If you decide to travel to or remain in these areas it would be reckless to do so unless and until you have taken full, appropriate professional security advice and have acted on it. You must be vigilant at all times and make sure that your local host and family know your travel plans and timings. You should register with the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos on arrival. Limit your movements to only essential journeys. Vary your routines. If travelling by road you should only travel in fully protected transport. Keep your car doors locked and windows closed and maintain telephone or radio communications to report your movements. You should consider permanent armed protection, but be aware that even this cannot guarantee your safety. The government has heightened its security presence in Port Harcourt. Many companies have introduced strict restrictions on travel. If you are a resident British national, you should follow your employer’s local security guidelines. On 18 December 2006 two bombs exploded in Port Harcourt, one in a Shell residential compound and the other at Agip’s headquarters. Further attacks are possible. As a result Shell have evacuated all dependants from the residential compound in Port Harcourt. Other companies have followed suit.
You should be aware that the long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking.
On 1 January 2008 there were nineteen reported fatalities in Port Harcourt when armed militants attacked two police stations and a hotel. The Presidential Hotel in the commercial centre of Port Harcourt is popular with expatriates.
On 30 December 2007, the Nigerian authorities lifted the curfew in Rivers State, but the curfew (1800-0600) in Okrika Local Government Area remains in place. You should avoid going to public places in Port Harcourt frequented by expatriates, including bars and restaurants. If you encounter a threatening or intimidating situation do not try to make your way through it, turn around and go home. On 10 August 2007, a British national was abducted from his car when driving to work in Port Harcourt.
We have received reports of an attempt to try to lure an expatriate to a meeting at a remote location near Port Harcourt. It is believed that this was an attempted kidnap. When arranging meetings in Nigeria you should ensure that the contact is known to you, and that the meeting is held at a secure location.
Due to the regular increases in the level of violence in Port Harcourt, the High Commission Liaison Office, British Council and VFS Office are subject to closure at short notice. Closure and reopening of the offices will be reflected in this travel advice.
There is also a risk of politically or financially motivated kidnapping throughout south eastern Nigeria. On 17 March 2007 two Chinese workers were abducted at Nnewi, Anambra State. A British national was one of two foreign nationals abducted from a vessel in a riverine area of Cross River State on 8 July.
There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
As was proven by the kidnapping of the 2 German nationals from Julius Berger travelling in an armed convoy, the terrorists in the Niger Delta have the ability to strike almost at will, despite the presence of paramilitary protection. The Nigerian armed forces and police are almost powerless against these people, are renowned for running away and, indeed, are suspected of collusion with militants. Personal security is not something to be taken lightly at the moment and if your company is not providing the level of security you require at your workplace, housing or en route to work, you should make sure they start to fulfil their duty of care to you.
Both Bristow and CHC have delayed announcements of pay reviews in recent weeks. They are playing with reasonable compensation for the danger to which personnel are exposed, so make sure they're not playing with adequate security for you as well.
They found a guy that promised on-site delivery, using one of these helicopter thingies I keep hearing about, where all I could come up with was delivery to the airstrip. Score one for rotary-wing there I guess.
Joking aside, how much worse can it get? The news is pretty dire.
Isn't it interesting how none of this seems to make the news? What, no pictures of starving kiddies with big eyes or mad b*ggers in clapped-out Toyota pick-ups with quad 12.7 mm. AA guns, is that the problem? I guess you guys are on your own for now. Keep your heads down for heaven's sake!
They've just announced a new range of vehicles specifically for the Nigerian Niger Delta region
Quote:
AN ANTONIO, TX, Jul 10, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Texas Armoring Corporation, a leading worldwide supplier of armored vehicles and bulletproof cars, announced today a new product line of armored vehicles specifically manufactured to protect occupants traveling in the Niger Delta region. The newly offered "Nigeria Package" will be available starting Monday, July 14, 2008 on select models. According to Trent Kimball, President & CEO of Texas Armoring Corporation, the Nigeria Package will "offer superior bulletproof protection against AK-47 & M-16 threats" and will also include some James Bond type accessories such as electric shocking door handles, a smoke screen system, a road tack dispensing system, flashing strobe lights, a hidden siren/loudspeaker system, and a secure dead bolt door locking system. Kimball says that the "violence in Nigeria is deplorable [and that] Texas Armoring Corporation is ready to build custom bullet-resistant vehicles to protect businessmen, dignitaries, and other distinguished individuals throughout West Africa."
The Nigerian Package will include European Level B6+ armoring (boasting nearly two-inch-thick bulletproof glass) and will be available for a special price on the following models:
With the recent increase in violence, kidnappings-for-ransom, and militant attacks on businesses, the need for civilian armored vehicles has never been greater in Nigeria. According to Kimball, "with the widening gap between the rich and poor throughout Africa, the level of violence has increased dramatically. Anyone with a moderate level of financial stability in Nigeria is potentially at risk for an attack. We've bulletproofed vehicles for numerous presidents and politicians in the past, but recently we've found that even general businesspeople are in need of armored protection. Our goal is to provide our clients with superior protection, while helping them maintain a low profile. It follows that each of our vehicles maintains the original factory finish as closely as possible, and that we only use extremely high-end materials in each vehicle we produce. Our focus is on hand-crafted quality, and you don't become the market leader by cutting corners."
Kimball went on to say that Texas Armoring has made efforts to reach out to large multinational corporations in Nigeria with good results, but that there is still a great need for protection in the corporate community in Nigeria and that Texas Armoring is prepared to meet demand.
You can 100% bet that the only people driving around in them will be the crooked politicians and their cronies who have brought about the present state of affairs. For Caverton it will be the Kia saloon as usual and for Bristow and Aero the cheapest Toyota bus available (complete with blue curtains in the case of Aero/CHC ).
Bristow Nigeria Delays the Bad News about (no) Pay Rise
? Instead of an annual pay review announced on 1 July an announcement available freely to all employees whose name begins with an X and who were born between 1 April 2009 and 32 December 2006 has stated that there is plenty of money in the kitty to pay fabulously expensive international accountants Deboyis Touched to carry out another meaningless review which will explain fully and frankly to all staff why the rise this year is just another 0.25% on basic in line with Richard Burman's frank and informative announcement on the company intranet on the need for all to have realistic expectations for this year's pay review 
. It's probably to cover unannounced and unexplained losses in the pension fund 
.
It's becoming obvious that even Caverton are more open, more honest and more professional and that the new 'Bristow' has nothing remotely in common with the company founded by Alan Bristow and which (sadly) for him bears his name 
I reckon that'll cost 'em, especially on operations that already have serious morale problems. And there are at least a couple of those. 
We keep getting told everything is fine and that there are enough pilots and engineers to go around when there obviously aren't. Then a last minute survey about how we work. What planet is the moron who ordered this late poll from ?? 
When will the Mannijment realise they are going to end up paying more in penalties than they are saving by letting the guys rot in terrible conditions ? 
British Now A Target In The Niger Delta
Texas Armoring Corporation to the Rescue!
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