Ok, ok.....
First of all, I'm not quite sure everyone should be so hard on Senior ATC. I really think what he says is true. I started this thread because I thought I would get a chance to come and work in S.A, not just over the WC, but for a couple of years. That all changed, as we all know, and it was at a later stage that the idea of hiring ATCO:s for just the WC came up. (at least that's what I've come to think)
I totally agree with the statement that the global community would like to help our South African colleagues in bringing it all together during the WC. At the same time I, of course, understand the frustration of you guys already working there that have been trying for years to get more appreciation for the work you're doing. BUT- you can't treat the guys, that might be coming (looks like no-one now, though) as they were some kind of management just coming to squeeze out as much money as possible! I can assure you that anyone coming to S.A with any kind of contract would do so with good intentions.
This whole I-hate-the-management-whoever-they-are is really starting to get a bit tiring. I've seen my fair share of bad management as well, but I've also learned another lesson when it comes to management during my 11 years as an atco - people never like the management, even when they're doing a good job!!!! (which happens from time to time and no- I'm not management) ;-)
It's probably the same in most businesses but I have the feeling that in ATC we really have a tendency of complaining too much. Maybe the situation in S.A calls for it, but it's more or less the same at all the places I know.
I must admit I didn't know how bad the situation was in S.A until some of you enlightened me on this forum. If only half of it is true, it's really bad. People leaving all the time, management making terrible and arrogant decisions, and the general working conditions with bad pay and a lot of over-time. I don't think any of the formerly interested foreign ATCO:s knew about this. Therefore- don't blame them!
Let me ask you this – why hasn't the union come together sooner to try to reach better conditions and solve the whole problem, for the W.C and afterwards? As it seems, these problems have existed for a very long time and all people have been doing is complaining about it. There is, of course, a huge chance of making a clear statement during the W.C, but I personally don't think that'll happen. I'm quite certain that you guys will give it all you've got and solve everything as it comes. Then what? What happens afterwards? I would say- nothing! Unless you manage to get everyone together and try to change things, everything will continue as before.
Therefore my opinion is that you should be happy for every foreign ATCO being willing to come and help you out, should the situation allow for it. Yes, they might make more money than you do, which of course is far from fair, but hey – where in the world would anyone move to a foreign country (for a longer or shorter amount of time) without getting anything back??? Be it that it's not fair – that's the way it works. It has nothing to do with that a certain individual wants more than everyone else, when the working conditions are as bad as they seem to be in S.A – every help you could expect to get from anyone would cost.
You now say you don't want any help and would refuse to train any foreign ATCO:s coming. Has that decision emerged during the last couple of months? You have accepted help before, even though it hasn't particularly made your situation better in general up until now.
What are the reasons for that decision? You would be making a point, for sure, but what are the obvious advantages? Pissing off the management? I thinks it's the wrong way to go. If, or when, anyone would come it's already too late to do anything about it. Then you'll just punish an innocent individual. I'm sure your management won't care that much. They'll just let you guys work a bit harder and more to solve the problem you created yourselves.
If, however, you plan to really stand together to try to change your situation for the future, not just for the W.C, then I guess your method could work but it requires that EVERYONE is in on it, which I personally think will be difficult.