I agree with what has been said earlier that the demise of the ATSA grade has been imminent since I joined in 1981. In that time the ATSA grade has grown to take on more and more specialisations. I am also sure that given the degree of disillusion within NATS at the moment then compulsary redundancies will not occur because if voluntary redundancy and/or early retirement were offered to staff throughout the country to make vacancies at other units for the Manchester staff who wish to stay then there will be no one left. I for one, if offered early retirement would leave the managers arm a bloody stump!!. I do not believe that I am unique in my feelings towards work, I used to feel grateful to be employed by NATS, I love working with aeroplanes and my collegues past and present have been a source of great joy to me. Nowadays those feelings are still there but are outweighed by disillusionment and disapointment with the management of NATS and their political masters. Please do not think that I am ranting, but rather being philosopical about my working life within the CAA and NATS.