Five ATCO'S left early last year for various reasons. Two (with radar)were recruited late last year and are undergoing training.
Also,an advert was placed in Flight late last year with a view to recruit two more controllers.Interviews took place but those offered the jobs turned them down as pay and conditions are not up to industry rates.
Two more controllers are starting soon but are not radar rated.
Manchester group promised a pay review last summer, this is still ongoing and hence potential recruits can only be told 'pay and conditions under review'.
Top of scale for a fully qualified controller with several years experience is about 45k. Few potential extra k's for l.c.e etc.
Shifts 6 on 3 off moving to 6 on 4 off when numbers increase.
Clique - maybe, but it is a generally friendly and pleasant unit with often challenging traffic.