Let me deal with each reply separtaly if you will. Firstly Jocko.
May I congratulate you on getting away from the engineering way of life. I wish I was clever enough to get a better job. I realise its nothing personal, and I also realise we do different jobs, and thats fair enough. Lifes a bitch then you go home right? Your job is extremely responsible. I'd hate to have to feel the same sort of pressure you fine people undergo every day. However. We too, as engineers, are very badly treated. As so many of your colleagues like to point point out alot, its the ATCOs that make the money for the company. So imagine how poorly a mis-manager treats us lowly engineers? The majority of ATCOs and indeed ATSAs I've come across in my 3 years with NATS (to the day thank you very much) are very fine people who would do most anything to help you. But on pay, we need to get a few things sorted. I understand you earn more than me. Your job demands it. But on a pay rise? Why should you get more? I'm a cog in the wheel just so much as you are. So why should my cog attract less than you? Am I not as important? I'd like to hear from anyone who truely believes that an engineer, especially a systems engineer like me, is not needed and the whole business of ATC could work without them? (By the by all engineers, I couldn't do my job without the support of all engineers. We are brothers, so please don'tget all excited and get upset) I see your point. We all do. Can you see my point? Certainly on the union dues issue? All we ask is for parity of payrise, not pay.
Aunt:
Are you saying I'm making up the pressure of having an ATCO being very unpleasant and quite upset that he can't contact a big tin tube on the phone cos of my personal failings as a human being? You said you worked in software devolpment, so you have no experience of first line and second line engineering support? Try it. Its not as easy as you might think. I grant you we all do different jobs. I'd be called an ATCO if I did the same job as you right? You have gotten my whinge a little confuddled. I'm not asking for parity of pay with you. I'd never get that. All I'm asking for is parity of pay rise, certainly while we're in the same un-union.
Your point about the pressure of things happening quick is well taken. I've seen it quite a few time myself. You haven't had to deal with a very (understandably) irate ATCO/LAS/Watch SUP however who is blaming your mother for the design of the whole system. A tad melodramatic I feel, but I'm at home and supping on a few beers after a long boring day, so let me be.
My ATCO friends, lets be clear about this. We need to stick together. You need us just as much as we need you, if you realise that or not. Lets not get all excited about who deserves what and why cos ATCOs win hands down every time. A little recognition from our chums the "top team" (contradiction in terms there if you ask me...) wouldn't go amiss though.
Last edited by All Systems Go; 31st August 2002 at 21:30.