Hi again all;
For those of you following this stuff <G>... I have some more tidbits from our NATCA in Washington that was reported on our private portion of our website...
We had three guests from the UK who came to educate our members in the problems they are having since privatization. UK National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has been private for less than a year and they have already required a government bailout, and are now facing bankruptcy as the banks have cut off their credit. Prospect, the union representing NATS employees, is now concerned that new funding will come from investors looking for very specific return on that investment. The airline group, who originally purchased NATS from the government, is unwilling to invest any more money.
After they spoke, John and I met with Shane Enright and Joe Magee from the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF). They are forming an ATC committee within the Civil Aviation Secretariat specifically to fight privatization and its effects on air traffic controllers. I have been working with them throughout the year and they have provided a great deal of information and assistance in building NATCA’s arguments opposing privatization schemes.
regards