Nats Pensions
Beady Eye
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Fact The current pension scheme cannot be 'interfered with' by NATS, only a change in the law will allow it.
Fact Staff in the current pension schemes rights and benefits are protected by law.
What appears to be the concerns are that this scheme will close to new employees and a new scheme started up for them and/or that current staff will be 'encouraged' to leave CAAPS.
My personal opinion is that I would need a huge amount of 'encouragement' to leave the Gold Plated Rolls Royce scheme which is CAAPS.
As to closing it to new staff, well its obvious to me from everything I've read that there are very very very few companies (except for MP's) offering the Roller that CAAPS is to new staff because pensions are vastly expensive. NATS as a company will be forced by the regulator to do something about the huge cost of its contributions to the pension scheme. By forced I mean that charges will be capped and/or reduced so that income is less and less income means that something somewhere has to be cut back because NATS does not have a huge pot of gold to dip into, it runs on revenue.
So something has to be done now because of the lead time for it to have an effect. Why not close the scheme to new recruits I ask myself? Some people say we have a responsibility to new recruits, well do we? Are we their parents? They would be joining this company with their eyes open fully aware of the Terms & Conditions of employment, including pensions. Its their choice not ours to attempt to make for them!
NATS would be foolish to attempt to introduce a replacement scheme which does not compete with other companies because they could not attract staff.
Just to reiterate - Current members of CAAPS are absolutely protected by law, their terms and conditions and benefits are protected by law, NATS cannot do a Maxwell. The discussion (IMHO) centres on whether the existing scheme closes to new entrants and what decision current members want to make on behalf of future employees, whether or not those future employees want current NATS staff to make decisions for them!
BD
Fact Staff in the current pension schemes rights and benefits are protected by law.
What appears to be the concerns are that this scheme will close to new employees and a new scheme started up for them and/or that current staff will be 'encouraged' to leave CAAPS.
My personal opinion is that I would need a huge amount of 'encouragement' to leave the Gold Plated Rolls Royce scheme which is CAAPS.
As to closing it to new staff, well its obvious to me from everything I've read that there are very very very few companies (except for MP's) offering the Roller that CAAPS is to new staff because pensions are vastly expensive. NATS as a company will be forced by the regulator to do something about the huge cost of its contributions to the pension scheme. By forced I mean that charges will be capped and/or reduced so that income is less and less income means that something somewhere has to be cut back because NATS does not have a huge pot of gold to dip into, it runs on revenue.
So something has to be done now because of the lead time for it to have an effect. Why not close the scheme to new recruits I ask myself? Some people say we have a responsibility to new recruits, well do we? Are we their parents? They would be joining this company with their eyes open fully aware of the Terms & Conditions of employment, including pensions. Its their choice not ours to attempt to make for them!
NATS would be foolish to attempt to introduce a replacement scheme which does not compete with other companies because they could not attract staff.
Just to reiterate - Current members of CAAPS are absolutely protected by law, their terms and conditions and benefits are protected by law, NATS cannot do a Maxwell. The discussion (IMHO) centres on whether the existing scheme closes to new entrants and what decision current members want to make on behalf of future employees, whether or not those future employees want current NATS staff to make decisions for them!
BD
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NATS as a company will be forced by the regulator to do something about the huge cost of its contributions to the pension scheme.
BEX
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BD
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BDiONU
Forgive my ignorance in this matter and explain if you can...
Firstly: I have heard on a number of occasions that if new pensions terms are given to new employees then when their number exceeds those on existing terms a vote could be taken to close down the existing scheme. Is that correct? Surely, if new employees join a different scheme they cannot then vote in matters relating to the old scheme, it would be none of their business?
Secondly: I have spoken directly with one of the IPMS team working on this and have been advised that the start-up costs for any new scheme would be significant, both to NATS and the "new" employees. Therefore, why is that still more attractive to NATS than continuing the current arrangements, which go a very long way towards keeping NATS' ATCOs quiet? In other words, why kick up a huge stink over something that is not going to be much cheaper (certainly in the short term).
.4
Forgive my ignorance in this matter and explain if you can...
Firstly: I have heard on a number of occasions that if new pensions terms are given to new employees then when their number exceeds those on existing terms a vote could be taken to close down the existing scheme. Is that correct? Surely, if new employees join a different scheme they cannot then vote in matters relating to the old scheme, it would be none of their business?
Secondly: I have spoken directly with one of the IPMS team working on this and have been advised that the start-up costs for any new scheme would be significant, both to NATS and the "new" employees. Therefore, why is that still more attractive to NATS than continuing the current arrangements, which go a very long way towards keeping NATS' ATCOs quiet? In other words, why kick up a huge stink over something that is not going to be much cheaper (certainly in the short term).
.4
.4, Your first point is the crux of the matter. The estimate is something like 10 years before 'new' staff outnumber 'old', then a huge amount of pressure can (will) be brought to bear to close the present scheme. Promotion dependent on you signing up to new pension, higher pay rises for those on new scheme there are hundreds of 'incentives ' that management can use.
This has happened throughout our industry and throughout privatised companies.
Your second point, way back at the start of this thread foghorn said
As NATS is so heavily geared (and the higher it's credit rating, the cheaper it's borrowing) the company can save so much more by having a AAA credit rating than the start up costs of a new scheme.
High credit ratings are achieved by reducing long term liabilites (like pensions).
This has happened throughout our industry and throughout privatised companies.
Your second point, way back at the start of this thread foghorn said
Closing it is more to do with keeping a bunch of crystal-ball-gazing actuaries in the credit rating agencies happy than a sensible response to increasing longevity.
High credit ratings are achieved by reducing long term liabilites (like pensions).
Beady Eye
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I'm just giving my viewpoint based on everything I've heard and read. Not just what NATS are saying but everything we're all exposed to in the media and from friends employed in other companies. I do not profess to be any sort of 'expert', just a bloke with a slightly different opinion to the 'One out all out brothers!' type of post which seems prevalent.
I concur with your conclusion. No one can 'interfere' with the current CAAPS scheme unless the law is changed.
If what you say is correct (and I have no reason to doubt it but the 'new' pension scheme details aren't being announced until March/April next year) then the key bit is that costs will be significant to the 'new' employees. Also the company are looking at the long term view. If you joined the company at 20 you could be employed for 40 years, so if they close the existing scheme now it'll be about 20 years until the 'new' scheme members begin to be greater than the 'old' ones. Bear in mind that CAAPS will still be paying out pensions until everyone in the scheme dies which could be a very long time for some of us.
BD
Firstly: I have heard on a number of occasions that if new pensions terms are given to new employees then when their number exceeds those on existing terms a vote could be taken to close down the existing scheme. Is that correct? Surely, if new employees join a different scheme they cannot then vote in matters relating to the old scheme, it would be none of their business?
Secondly: I have spoken directly with one of the IPMS team working on this and have been advised that the start-up costs for any new scheme would be significant, both to NATS and the "new" employees. Therefore, why is that still more attractive to NATS than continuing the current arrangements, which go a very long way towards keeping NATS' ATCOs quiet? In other words, why kick up a huge stink over something that is not going to be much cheaper (certainly in the short term).
.4
.4
BD
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.4, Your first point is the crux of the matter. The estimate is something like 10 years before 'new' staff outnumber 'old', then a huge amount of pressure can (will) be brought to bear to close the present scheme. Promotion dependent on you signing up to new pension, higher pay rises for those on new scheme there are hundreds of 'incentives ' that management can use.
BD
My post would have been more accurate had I said "a huge amount of pressure can (will) be brought to bear to move members to the new scheme" rather than "a huge amount of pressure can (will) be brought to bear to close the present scheme".
BDiONU, they can't close the present scheme under existing guarantees. Do you trust those guarantees to still be in place in 10, 20 years time?
Management have many tools to force members from the present scheme into a new scheme. Who's going to look after present scheme members interests when 60% of the workforce are in the new scheme? What about 80%? Your estimate of a 20 year 'tipping point' when new members outnumber old is a lot higher than union estimates.
BDiONU, they can't close the present scheme under existing guarantees. Do you trust those guarantees to still be in place in 10, 20 years time?
Management have many tools to force members from the present scheme into a new scheme. Who's going to look after present scheme members interests when 60% of the workforce are in the new scheme? What about 80%? Your estimate of a 20 year 'tipping point' when new members outnumber old is a lot higher than union estimates.
Beady Eye
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Management have many tools to force members from the present scheme into a new scheme. Who's going to look after present scheme members interests when 60% of the workforce are in the new scheme? What about 80%?
Your estimate of a 20 year 'tipping point' when new members outnumber old is a lot higher than union estimates.
BD
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Okay
Thanks for those. It seems from what is being said that it is going to be an uncomfortable period all-round until we know the truth of management's intentions and the strength of feeling in the subsequent vote.
.4
Thanks for those. It seems from what is being said that it is going to be an uncomfortable period all-round until we know the truth of management's intentions and the strength of feeling in the subsequent vote.
.4
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BD
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BD
If it is as secure as you suggest, that is great. May I ask how you come to KNOW that it is that secure? Sorry - I 'm not really up to speed on the relevant laws etc myself.
.4
If it is as secure as you suggest, that is great. May I ask how you come to KNOW that it is that secure? Sorry - I 'm not really up to speed on the relevant laws etc myself.
.4
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BTW I'm not saying it is totally and absolutely 100% secure, thats just my opinion based on my knowledge, everyone needs to make their own minds up.
BD
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Had lots of briefings on this recently plus I recall all the stuff that was going through around privitisation, which is when parliament passed the laws ringfencing CAAPS.
Last edited by SensibleATCO; 11th Nov 2006 at 00:45.
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Hmmm,
If everythinmg is as secure as BD suggests (and I'd like to believe he is right) then why are NATS management going to all this trouble when they have NO CHANCE of getting the allegedly required 100%?
Protecting "the company?" and therefore it's employees. You're having a laugh.
BEX
If everythinmg is as secure as BD suggests (and I'd like to believe he is right) then why are NATS management going to all this trouble when they have NO CHANCE of getting the allegedly required 100%?
Protecting "the company?" and therefore it's employees. You're having a laugh.
BEX
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Protecting "the company?" and therefore it's employees. You're having a laugh.
The regulator has fired a warning shot over NATS bows in CP2 by not allowing the pass through of pension costs for those employed after 1st Jan 2006. The regulator has made it clear that if NATS do not take any action to reduce pension costs they will take further action in CP3. Further action means yet more reductions in route charges and less pass through of pension costs. The regulator has to take action because of pressure by the airlines to reduce the costs of charges made by the NATS monopoly.
If the route charges are made smaller by the regulator and pension pass through is not allowed then NATS faces a reduction in revenue with an increase in pension costs. By taking action now the company are protecting the employees from the prospect of NATS going bust and the government then doing a Railtrack (which I have no doubt they would, ATC is too important to the UK).
BD
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The regulator has fired a warning shot over NATS bows in CP2 by not allowing the pass through of pension costs for those employed after 1st Jan 2006. The regulator has made it clear that if NATS do not take any action to reduce pension costs they will take further action in CP3. Further action means yet more reductions in route charges and less pass through of pension costs. The regulator has to take action because of pressure by the airlines to reduce the costs of charges made by the NATS monopoly.
Isn't what's good for the goose good for the gander?
As for being the most expensive in Europe, to quote our leader...
Barron acknowledges that "The airlines think we are far too expensive; they want to keep the pressure on and rightly challenge our costs." But he claims that "it is impossible to measure us against our European counterparts . . . our airspace does not compare." He continues, "No one else in Europe borrows several hundred million to run their business, has a regulator, has to absorb the cost of that regulation, has to pay for the buildings and land, etc. There are things we have to do because we are privatized that government-subsidized organizations do not. The regulator believes we are competitive with the rest of Europe. We know that we are among the best at what we do. So if our charge rate is the highest, it probably reflects what the real costs are. However, our target is not to be highest and to get that rate down successively year after year."
Last edited by Roffa; 11th Nov 2006 at 17:51.
Beady, I don't see the threat as management making unilateral changes to CAAPS. As you've stated, present rules do not allow for that.
The threat comes when the majority of staff are in a new scheme. management are then in a very strong position to 'victimise' those in the present scheme. They will have 2 groups of staff on different terms and conditions, they will think nothing of offering larger pay rises to new staff and none to existing CAAPS members. There will be many incentives offered, both carrot and stick to get us to leave CAAPS.
Any move by management to split the workforce is very dangerous and will be exploited fully in the years to come.
I'd advise all NATS staff to be very wary of views offered both at work and on this forum. Management (down to some supervisors/chiefs) have been asked to push the board's position on this matter, what you read and hear may not be personally held opinions.
The threat comes when the majority of staff are in a new scheme. management are then in a very strong position to 'victimise' those in the present scheme. They will have 2 groups of staff on different terms and conditions, they will think nothing of offering larger pay rises to new staff and none to existing CAAPS members. There will be many incentives offered, both carrot and stick to get us to leave CAAPS.
Any move by management to split the workforce is very dangerous and will be exploited fully in the years to come.
I'd advise all NATS staff to be very wary of views offered both at work and on this forum. Management (down to some supervisors/chiefs) have been asked to push the board's position on this matter, what you read and hear may not be personally held opinions.
Leading the charge is the guy who was in charge of Alstom ...
... yet he quite happily let NATS pick up HIS pension shortfall as part of his incoming pay package whilst leaving his previous workers to pick up the pieces of their own crumbling fund.
As soon as he's plundered our fund, got his knighthood from his pal Tony, and put a suitable golden parachute for himself and his buddies in place ... he'll be off as quick as a flash.
Alstom was sold to Siemans in April 2003.* Workers have discovered through a letter from David Curtis, Alstoms' International Director of Pensions, posted on the company's website that workers applying for early retirement faced a further 20% cut in their pensions.
Workers who retire before 65 already face pension losses of 30% and have been kept totally in the dark over the new plans. Alstom has an estimated £435m shortfall in its UK fund, which has more than 20,000 members.
Workers who retire before 65 already face pension losses of 30% and have been kept totally in the dark over the new plans. Alstom has an estimated £435m shortfall in its UK fund, which has more than 20,000 members.
As soon as he's plundered our fund, got his knighthood from his pal Tony, and put a suitable golden parachute for himself and his buddies in place ... he'll be off as quick as a flash.