The next set of contract negotiations for the controllers will start at the end of this year, as the current contract expires at the end of March 2009. Given the current free fall of the worlds economies I can hear Aunty Airways giving us the doom and gloom speech yet again, they will be telling us that its time for us to tighten our belts and accept a minor cost of living increase - CPI.
It appears that in New Zealand "market forces" only apply to company directors, senior management, and even not so senior management (this includes CEO's who manage to bankrupt their companies).
I think that Aunty Airways is hoping that the General Election (next month) and the huge bribes from both main parties of about an extra $20 a week in tax cuts will solve all their staffing problems......................Yeah Right!
For the foreseable future, Ashley's wish of having enough trained staff (who can actually do the job) will remain just that, a wish!