The Abu Dhabi Britannic
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ANSA.
Firstly, it's disappointing to see the comments you are putting up here.
If you think that neither I, nor the dawg, had any influence over what happened to us, you are a little naive.
Secondly, neither the dawg or I are unemployed.
Well, I'll just keep dreaming then. By your own admission, the only reason your conditions will improve is if they can't staff the place. Other posters were trying to make the point that people leaving actually strengthens your hand in that regard. The various people who contacted me via this board re; working in AUH were given nothing more than the truth, and if that caused them to rethink their plans, so be it.
THAT is how this board influences the management. It creates an information flow that will empower prospective applicants to make reasoned decisions, with eyes wide open. They might have to attract people with a decent package, instead of the usual fluff and nonsense.
Guess who benefits out of that?
Firstly, it's disappointing to see the comments you are putting up here.
If you think that neither I, nor the dawg, had any influence over what happened to us, you are a little naive.
Secondly, neither the dawg or I are unemployed.
You are dreaming if you think PPRUNE and the rants of a few negative extremists has anything to do with the improvement of the package about to be offered.
THAT is how this board influences the management. It creates an information flow that will empower prospective applicants to make reasoned decisions, with eyes wide open. They might have to attract people with a decent package, instead of the usual fluff and nonsense.
Guess who benefits out of that?
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Nice photo in the paper mate. Great way to go out. Very Classy.
Quote from Rhiis; "I know I could never get away with the things I do in a civilised country". Speaks volumes about the man, the place, and the workplace culture. The 'managers' there, both above and below him, are complicit by their inaction. Not much class to be had anywhere. If Machiavelli rules the day, ce la vie.
As for you preaching- very funny.
Hope someone sends me a cutting. How about it Vercingetorex- I mean- cheerybum?
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I must be missing something....either that or your front page of the Gulf News today is diferent from the one at http://www.gulfnews.com/news/2005/1019/home2.asp
under "front page.pdf"
under "front page.pdf"
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Now back to the topic at hand.
Communique' received from Serco dated 18/10/05 from contract negotiation team to staff
Dear all
running back to Dubai tail between legs. Reducing contract price and therefore your conditions for next year due fear of reprisal on other contracts in UAE.
Some c#$p about recruiting controllers from centres that are also short staffed and have better pay and conditions.
Please lubricate and prepare for shafting
End message.
For all of those posting until now. It is not the resignations that are the problem it is the total lack of new recruits that is. Never underestimate the ability of managers to underestimate the value of their staff.
Communique' received from Serco dated 18/10/05 from contract negotiation team to staff
Dear all
running back to Dubai tail between legs. Reducing contract price and therefore your conditions for next year due fear of reprisal on other contracts in UAE.
Some c#$p about recruiting controllers from centres that are also short staffed and have better pay and conditions.
Please lubricate and prepare for shafting
End message.
For all of those posting until now. It is not the resignations that are the problem it is the total lack of new recruits that is. Never underestimate the ability of managers to underestimate the value of their staff.
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ferris
Hmmmmmm, and you are telling the truth? I, for one, would be very sceptical about hearing the truth from you ferris. Your postings have been nothing but one sided. What do you consider the truth, your opinion? Once again you, as always, consider your opinion to be the truth.
Yes, but you did mention integrity when given a choice to stay or go. You chose to go and yet the method you chose lacked a whole lot of integrity, double standards?. Seems again you have a well balance view on things and a very high opinion of your own opinion. As you have said before, this is an open forum, allow then the fact that many others have a differing opinion.
I support ANSA and little bum about the real issue. The people that have left insist on coming on this forum and lambasting their "opinion" about what they chose to leave. Why? Do you miss the place so much? Do you really think things are changing because you left?
Staffing is an issue all over the world, Aus closing sectors, US backlog of ATC's, training issues in Canada. Why is this unit so special that it deserves your venom?
AQ, check out yesterdays classifieds, Gulf News.
Cat out
If you think that neither I, nor the dawg, had any influence over what happened to us, you are a little naive.
Never claimed to be classy.
I support ANSA and little bum about the real issue. The people that have left insist on coming on this forum and lambasting their "opinion" about what they chose to leave. Why? Do you miss the place so much? Do you really think things are changing because you left?
Staffing is an issue all over the world, Aus closing sectors, US backlog of ATC's, training issues in Canada. Why is this unit so special that it deserves your venom?
AQ, check out yesterdays classifieds, Gulf News.
Cat out
Last edited by PPRuNe Radar; 20th Oct 2005 at 18:01.
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33,000 DHS PER MONTH DIRECT HIRE!!!!
Can we move away, just for a moment, from all the little prima donna's and focus on the reason for this thread??
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Yes, we in the loop know. I'm curious to see what those who are
outsiders think of prospects now. Is it enough to attract those with 2 or 3 kids? It's great for the singletons.
What could SERCO possilbly offer if this is what the people employing SERCO are offering us??
On that line of thought, does it not follow that SERCO will at least lose the ATC contract?
Speculation, speculation.....
outsiders think of prospects now. Is it enough to attract those with 2 or 3 kids? It's great for the singletons.
What could SERCO possilbly offer if this is what the people employing SERCO are offering us??
On that line of thought, does it not follow that SERCO will at least lose the ATC contract?
Speculation, speculation.....
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Totally agree with you there sandborne
at 33,000 dhs less at least 10,000 for decent accommodation less about 6,000 per mth (avg) school for 2 kids that takes it the nett back to 17,000 and that doesnt include medical, lack of gratuity, etc so that doesn't really make it any better than now.
The reality is that if you are single that willl make a big difference but for families (which would be majority of applicants) there is no change.
ANSA.... you have a bloody big chip on your shoulder son, and I suggest you take a walk and lose it. Same with the "cat".
most people who are there are there for a reason just like burj said, nationality, sexual orientation, avoiding paying child maintenance and having ex wife get money, avioding taxman, and so on and so on.... so these people including yours truly dont like others highligting the shortfalls/ pitfalls of being here in UAE because you are basically stuck here like prisoners of you own fate. Luckily for me my reasons for being here dont apply now so I am happy in knowing I can depart at will.
Be men and accept others point of view because this is reality or dont reply to the thread or use the forum........a forum is a place where people gather to discuss issues
chow
at 33,000 dhs less at least 10,000 for decent accommodation less about 6,000 per mth (avg) school for 2 kids that takes it the nett back to 17,000 and that doesnt include medical, lack of gratuity, etc so that doesn't really make it any better than now.
The reality is that if you are single that willl make a big difference but for families (which would be majority of applicants) there is no change.
ANSA.... you have a bloody big chip on your shoulder son, and I suggest you take a walk and lose it. Same with the "cat".
most people who are there are there for a reason just like burj said, nationality, sexual orientation, avoiding paying child maintenance and having ex wife get money, avioding taxman, and so on and so on.... so these people including yours truly dont like others highligting the shortfalls/ pitfalls of being here in UAE because you are basically stuck here like prisoners of you own fate. Luckily for me my reasons for being here dont apply now so I am happy in knowing I can depart at will.
Be men and accept others point of view because this is reality or dont reply to the thread or use the forum........a forum is a place where people gather to discuss issues
chow
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Cat
Yes, I am telling the truth. I stand by my statements. Those who know what happened are quite able to form their own opinion.
Just because, in your opinion, my posts are 'one-sided', doesn't make them untruthful.
You may not be smart enough to realise that all 'truth' is subjective. I realise that in the gulf, lots of people, including you, choose to ignore certain things, as it helps you sleep. So be it.
So the people who play a dirty game cry foul to the referee? Haha, very funny. All you guys trying to take the moral high ground make me laugh. Once the die was cast, I played with what I had. If it was possible to play a 'fair' game, don't you think I would? But make no mistake, I have absolutely no remorse, given the circumstances. When in Rome....
I pose the same question to you. Do you think things will change because you stay? As mentioned, things are far more influenced by a lack of staff, than an abundance.
Venom? If facts are venom, what does that tell you? See the post above by a Canadian looking at the 33k figure and thinking it's wonderful. When he gets the facts, sorry 'venom', about the working conditions and the cost of living, he will be better informed about whether to make the move. Maybe if the Authority (and Serco) tried doing it, they wouldn't end up with so many of the problems they do?
edited after seeing Yak's post.
Here here.
Hmmmmmm, and you are telling the truth?
Your postings have been nothing but one sided.
What do you consider the truth, your opinion?
You chose to go and yet the method you chose lacked a whole lot of integrity, double standards?
Do you really think things are changing because you left?
Why is this unit so special that it deserves your venom?
edited after seeing Yak's post.
Here here.
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ferris
Do you want some cheese with that whine??
Anyway, let's get back to the thread...
Yakkity yak is right. You'll be hard pressed to find a villa in AD for 100 000. Please don't tell me that so and so has one for cheaper because they're either ready for demolition or it was a miracle that it was aquired.
And that 's what this is mostly all about,as well - the poor accomodtion that goes with the SERCO contract. Sure, you can get a large 3 bedroom apartment in the city for about 90 000, (and the rent will proberly go up before you finish unpacking the first box) but your stuck with cronic parking, unbearable traffic and usually the neighbours from hell. Not to mention the spitting on the pavement as you go to get a loaf of bread. Not great when your walking with your kids.
Schools are cronically expensive, as YY says. When the kids are in high school, the fees and other expenses are close to 7 000 a year at the top 3 schools.
So, youre down to 17000 and you still need to pay for all the other paraphernalia and you need to save for all your air tickets for all 4/5 of you and start saving for the big summer holiday.
Its starting to get a little messy now.....
Again, I ask, what more could SERCO offer when the people paying them are offering "top dollar"?
Is this the best it's going to get because it sure is going to leave the family people sucking lemons...
Do you want some cheese with that whine??
Anyway, let's get back to the thread...
Yakkity yak is right. You'll be hard pressed to find a villa in AD for 100 000. Please don't tell me that so and so has one for cheaper because they're either ready for demolition or it was a miracle that it was aquired.
And that 's what this is mostly all about,as well - the poor accomodtion that goes with the SERCO contract. Sure, you can get a large 3 bedroom apartment in the city for about 90 000, (and the rent will proberly go up before you finish unpacking the first box) but your stuck with cronic parking, unbearable traffic and usually the neighbours from hell. Not to mention the spitting on the pavement as you go to get a loaf of bread. Not great when your walking with your kids.
Schools are cronically expensive, as YY says. When the kids are in high school, the fees and other expenses are close to 7 000 a year at the top 3 schools.
So, youre down to 17000 and you still need to pay for all the other paraphernalia and you need to save for all your air tickets for all 4/5 of you and start saving for the big summer holiday.
Its starting to get a little messy now.....
Again, I ask, what more could SERCO offer when the people paying them are offering "top dollar"?
Is this the best it's going to get because it sure is going to leave the family people sucking lemons...
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Ok YY, lets clear this up once and for all. You are obviously alluding to something about me and I'm not sure what, so I will go through your "stuck here because...." checklist.
Nationality...no problem, sexual orientation...straight (is that a problem?), child maintenance... being paid from here big time, ex wife get money...she's already got it all, avoiding the tax man... well shoot me for not paying taxes. Saying someones stuck here because they don't want to go back to paying taxes, is like saying a Canadian or Scandinavian is stuck here cos they don't want to freeze their fanny off again in a Northern winter. So I will say again I choose to stay here because the work is great fun, and very interesting, and the lifestyle here is also great.
Jeez I love my job and I love my life, I can see why you think I have a chip on my shoulder!!
As far as needing 10,000 dh's a month for rent get real. Go through a real estate agent and pay their prices and yeh you will get ripped off. Get off your collective backsides and go looking yourself and you will find real nice places for 7,000 a month. As far as education goes, IF you send your kids to ACS and IF they are in senior school then yes the figure given is accurate. But if you go to AISA or to the other schools as a junior student, those figures are inflated. As usual you do the figures and work out if it is right for you.
Funny thing is all these moaners surely did the figures before they came and knew what they were taking, but now they are here they complain about it. Bottom line is with the figures I gave
and throwing in money for health insurance, flights home, utilities and gratuity, you still have 17,000 a month in your hand. Now I don't know where in Australia or Canada you could pay income tax, pay rent/mortgage, pay health insurance, put 2 kids in private school, pay utilities and pay for some international air tickets each year, and still have the best part of $6,000 a month (Canadian or Australian) in your hand. In Australia you would be lucky to get $6,000 a month in your hand after just paying the income tax.
But hey what would I know I have a bloody big chip on my shoulder. What kind of chip is that? I never heard of an optimistic chip before.
Nationality...no problem, sexual orientation...straight (is that a problem?), child maintenance... being paid from here big time, ex wife get money...she's already got it all, avoiding the tax man... well shoot me for not paying taxes. Saying someones stuck here because they don't want to go back to paying taxes, is like saying a Canadian or Scandinavian is stuck here cos they don't want to freeze their fanny off again in a Northern winter. So I will say again I choose to stay here because the work is great fun, and very interesting, and the lifestyle here is also great.
Jeez I love my job and I love my life, I can see why you think I have a chip on my shoulder!!
As far as needing 10,000 dh's a month for rent get real. Go through a real estate agent and pay their prices and yeh you will get ripped off. Get off your collective backsides and go looking yourself and you will find real nice places for 7,000 a month. As far as education goes, IF you send your kids to ACS and IF they are in senior school then yes the figure given is accurate. But if you go to AISA or to the other schools as a junior student, those figures are inflated. As usual you do the figures and work out if it is right for you.
Funny thing is all these moaners surely did the figures before they came and knew what they were taking, but now they are here they complain about it. Bottom line is with the figures I gave
and throwing in money for health insurance, flights home, utilities and gratuity, you still have 17,000 a month in your hand. Now I don't know where in Australia or Canada you could pay income tax, pay rent/mortgage, pay health insurance, put 2 kids in private school, pay utilities and pay for some international air tickets each year, and still have the best part of $6,000 a month (Canadian or Australian) in your hand. In Australia you would be lucky to get $6,000 a month in your hand after just paying the income tax.
But hey what would I know I have a bloody big chip on my shoulder. What kind of chip is that? I never heard of an optimistic chip before.
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Next issue
Single people and people without kids earning less.
This is garbage almost everywhere else in the world you get paid for the work you do not how busy you have been in the sack.
As I sit here in my 25th floor four bed apartment provided by my employer I dream of high 30s for all.
Single people and people without kids earning less.
This is garbage almost everywhere else in the world you get paid for the work you do not how busy you have been in the sack.
As I sit here in my 25th floor four bed apartment provided by my employer I dream of high 30s for all.
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Yes did figures before moving here
Cost of living in AUH rising rapidly
Exchange rate Swazi dollar to the Dirham 1 to 5 and rising
nice place for 7000 per month unlikely, especially not one you can fit both your children and your furniture in (and yes I have looked around).
My estimate of 6000AUD per month in hand at trend exchange rate 17000ishAED. Don't even get that after everything is paid for let alone before.
Flight home money from Serco complete joke. Tried a full price fair anywhere before. I live 30000 hectopascals from AUH and the amount I get for a flight leaves me about 10000 short of my destination.
Cost of living in AUH rising rapidly
Exchange rate Swazi dollar to the Dirham 1 to 5 and rising
nice place for 7000 per month unlikely, especially not one you can fit both your children and your furniture in (and yes I have looked around).
My estimate of 6000AUD per month in hand at trend exchange rate 17000ishAED. Don't even get that after everything is paid for let alone before.
Flight home money from Serco complete joke. Tried a full price fair anywhere before. I live 30000 hectopascals from AUH and the amount I get for a flight leaves me about 10000 short of my destination.