So do you think Circo have gone for good, do so at your peril! Circo have had access to masses of financial and personnel issues whilst considering a cash injection.
NATS has been financed via venture capital. We have seen how 3i have moved Go on for a clear profit. In a couple of years time, if NATS is still partially privatised, the banks will want another fast buck. Who can they sell it to? Remember easy looked at Go last year and said no, then paid good money for them due probably to the regulation at that time of the industry.
NATS staff should not be worrying about 6% now, but of the future in a couple of years, when Circo could become the possible owners of the private part of NATS. The BAA cannot pull out of their contracts for where would they get the staff from unless those controllers and support staff resigned and joined the BAA, remember the staff in the centres that vector aircraft onto the approach, the BAA would need radar rooms or pay HEAVILY increased charges.
A previous post intimated that if controllers lost their jobs with NATS where would they go? So if a Circo'd NATS cut your salary and increased your hours up to a legal limit what would you do. Strike action threatened does not work, for not enough staff will actually support it. A cut in salary makes up for a loss of ones job. This is how companies like Circo exist.
I have read the letter, although I am not a staff member, and it appears to be a typical propaganda exercise, but think of it from my view point. The airlines control NATS, they are themselves battling against their own tide of problems. They want investment to reduce delays and enhance capacity, therefore increasing their own profit potential. The CAA have not allowed increased charges on the scale required by NATS (Or their banks), this affects their ability to invest. The bankers decide in a few months to rid themselves of NATS shares, who will offer good money?
The airlines and airport users of NATS will not want this, but if the banks decide to, it will happen. Cassani had no input into 3i selling off her beloved Go.
Just a few Circo thoughts?