Belgian ATCO's work for free!
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EBUU, what is it you are trying to resolve?
Join Date: Feb 2006
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MNT
I know they do - I was however hoping Pelton Level would reply.
Lots of ATCOs do extra sectors for no money - although it doesn't include extra working hours as that is constrained by law, it does mean more bookwork, more annual exams, less early go's (I know, a perk not a right), less comfortable night shifts... no extra money, but without it, the centres would not run, at least not without a huge increase in overhead.
It is easier to recognise the office bods who (regularly) work over their contracted hours to help the company, as extra sectors etc are contained within the normal working hours. I think nowadays, NATS sees people doing extra work for the company for no reward as a norm and expects it from people - exploiting, to a degree, the pride people have in doing their job.
However, the Belgians have, it seems, played a very clever card. I hope they resolve the issues to their satisfaction
I know they do - I was however hoping Pelton Level would reply.
Lots of ATCOs do extra sectors for no money - although it doesn't include extra working hours as that is constrained by law, it does mean more bookwork, more annual exams, less early go's (I know, a perk not a right), less comfortable night shifts... no extra money, but without it, the centres would not run, at least not without a huge increase in overhead.
It is easier to recognise the office bods who (regularly) work over their contracted hours to help the company, as extra sectors etc are contained within the normal working hours. I think nowadays, NATS sees people doing extra work for the company for no reward as a norm and expects it from people - exploiting, to a degree, the pride people have in doing their job.
However, the Belgians have, it seems, played a very clever card. I hope they resolve the issues to their satisfaction
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Reply from PeltonLevel
Staff in middle ranking grades outside ATC (STAR 1&2, MSG 1&2, ATCE 1&2 - I don't know about ATC T&S) all give up the right to paid overtime when they take promotions to that level. In theory, they are entitled to plain time off in lieu of any excess hours, but the opportunities are not always available to take it. Unlike operators, their job doesn't go away when they walk away from their workstations!
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I assume it would be worldwide, but when you go 'off the tools' for a period to work in training, procedures/simulator development,etc it is a given that you will work some extra hours for free.
It is swings and roundabouts. When in the centre you work your rostered hours and get paid for any additional hours. You work 24/7 shiftwork and you must work your rostered shifts.
Out the back you may have nominal shifts but you can turn these into 'florist' shifts ( i.e. you make your own arrangements) work on your RDO and have a day off somewhere else if you wish. You are expected to complete the work, if this entails you having to work a 10-12 hour day to fit into what else is happening so be it, and you MAY get the time back somewhere else.
If you are training someone and this entails you having to start earlier to prepare the simulator and stay back later to debrief the trainee, so be it.
Being ATC, we always seem to think the grass is greener elsewhere. Some of those out the back believe it is easier to just to work the rostered shifts in the room, whilst some of those in the room are jealous of the non 24/7 florists. Having worked both it is six of one, half a dozen of the other. The best way is to make sure you don't spend too long 'out the back' and lose sight of what ATC is about. The longer you are away from the console the easier you remember the 'real' job as being.
You run into problems when you get people who have been years away from controlling who come up with 'great ideas' on paper that will never work in the real world.
Sorry about the thread drift. Good luck to the Belgians.
It is swings and roundabouts. When in the centre you work your rostered hours and get paid for any additional hours. You work 24/7 shiftwork and you must work your rostered shifts.
Out the back you may have nominal shifts but you can turn these into 'florist' shifts ( i.e. you make your own arrangements) work on your RDO and have a day off somewhere else if you wish. You are expected to complete the work, if this entails you having to work a 10-12 hour day to fit into what else is happening so be it, and you MAY get the time back somewhere else.
If you are training someone and this entails you having to start earlier to prepare the simulator and stay back later to debrief the trainee, so be it.
Being ATC, we always seem to think the grass is greener elsewhere. Some of those out the back believe it is easier to just to work the rostered shifts in the room, whilst some of those in the room are jealous of the non 24/7 florists. Having worked both it is six of one, half a dozen of the other. The best way is to make sure you don't spend too long 'out the back' and lose sight of what ATC is about. The longer you are away from the console the easier you remember the 'real' job as being.
You run into problems when you get people who have been years away from controlling who come up with 'great ideas' on paper that will never work in the real world.
Sorry about the thread drift. Good luck to the Belgians.
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Pelton
I know all that thanks - the fact stands that people feel they have to work extra hours to complete the tasks they are given... NATS exploits this 'willingness' or 'sense of duty'.
It is the similar to the expectation that NATS management has of people doing extra sectors etc above and beyond contractural requirements
I know all that thanks - the fact stands that people feel they have to work extra hours to complete the tasks they are given... NATS exploits this 'willingness' or 'sense of duty'.
It is the similar to the expectation that NATS management has of people doing extra sectors etc above and beyond contractural requirements
