Tea Gathering anybody?
Disgruntled Hong Kong atcos have been highly critical of their management for years. Management is generally regarded as a bunch of third class politicians although most seem to agree there are 1 or 2 decent blokes on the fourth floor. Now management has invited controllers to an informal tea party for an open discussion about the myriad of problems in ATCX. This invitation has naturally been discussed amongst controllers. The vast majority see it as just another trap - the usual: “we have to be seen to be doing something” after the recent angry exchanges of opinions between management and our dying union – soon without a president. A decade of distrust cannot be changed the way overflowing annual leave became TOIL in the blink of an eye thanks to some very creative administration.
Most controllers are still of the opinion that no matter what they say it will not make any difference whatsoever and woe betide anybody who stands up to management – just ask the ex-president of the union or the controller who recently swapped within the rules! They are both tattooed for life. The “open door policy” management claims to promulgate simply means the door is open for you to leave, but fresh ideas cannot enter! It is all a pantomime and nothing of any significance will ever happen. However, a few others are slightly hopeful claiming that Good and Evil are at war on the fourth floor and that better times may be ahead if the outcome of the situation is ideal.
Controllers and probably the press too would like to know just how it is possible that so many controllers annual leave balance exceeds 180 days if there indeed is no controller shortage?
How come a person named “N/A” still gets rostered so often?
Why are office staff and trainees called upon to work operationally so frequently if there is no manning problem?
Did anybody consider the long-term consequences now the annual leave can no longer be converted to TOIL??
What happens when even more controllers’ leave exceeds maximum? Will they simply see leave disappear into thin air or will management invent a new way of manipulating annual leave which cannot be granted?
How long can this continue before it all blows up completely?
EARLY-GO/TOIL: Why don’t you post a new thread with your drivel about late breaks? If you want to involve management remember that only anonymous complaints will be taken seriously!!!