whilst I agree in principle with dan dare's post, I cannot help but think to myself 'when did the
ATCOs ever (officially) stand up and say that they
needed the ATSAs for support'? (answers on the back of a stamp with a whitewash brush)
I'm not pointing the finger at the ppruners on here who advocate their support for the Assistants, but more at the rank and file ATCO membership at the coalface.
Unfortunately, its the same old story; ATCOs who have a lot to say, (yeah,
I support the ATSAs, we need 'em when the !!!!! hits the fan, you know.. blah blah, .. erm wots on channel 401?) but no action to back it up.
A bit like the pension issue. And the pay negotiations. So, when the !!!!! really does hit the fan, the ATCOs will end up doing the tasks which the ATSAs could have helped you with. (BTW, I cant help but wince when I watch the EGLL newbies struggling with the GMP overload. Too proud to admit its getting a bit much, and too ignorant to even consider asking the Assistant to their right for a bit of support - with or without fckn EFPS!))
I expect the Management to be booking front row seats to watch Prospect's 'ignition' of the (talcum) powder which they have kept so dry for you over the years. I'm sure they will have a (very small) glass of water to hand in order to put out the raging fire that will follow
Its probably too late for things to change for a lot of the support grades - its all downhill from here on in folks! -, and the redundancies and cuts will continue, BUT when it comes to the ATCO issues, if you guys
really think you carry some clout, then you need to start wielding it about a bit - and fckn quickly.