UK - NATS Pay negotiations - latest rumours

[ZOOKER]

Ah, Bolton, Horwich and Chorley!
It's a long way to travel from Lincoln, there Ted.
Has he 'relocated' then?

[BDiONU]

Originally Posted by Ceannairceach

Yes, tea is just one item, of a low overall price, but canteen prices at my unit have increased across the board (sandwiches up by between 35% and 50%, hot food up by between 30% and 60%, soft drinks up by 30%) as you may have noticed yourself on one of your visits BD

Visits? Gosh over the past 4 years I've been working and living at PC ;-) Yes prices have gone up but still a lot cheaper than you'd pay in town or even nipping across to Belchers for a Scotch Pie. And the quality and choice (especially soups) at PC is superior to CTC, no crowds either.

BD

[ZOOKER]

"I've been working and living at PC".
:

[Ceannairceach]

I trust the current inflatory joy will be noted by those from NTUS doing the negotiating...

[alfie1999]

Rpi: 4.8%

This figure is for December so you can expect another jump when the VAT rise works it way through.

[Mantovani]

Am I the only one who finds the CEO’s repeated pleas on his Blog to keep costs down a little insulting after the millions of pounds given to Barron & Hoskins and the multi-million pound dividend payouts to the Airline Group?

The money for a decent pay rise is clearly there, it’s about time the negotiations were stepped up and the staff given a vote on any offer.

[oneowl]

Indeed I do find it a little insulting. Add to this the fact that the introduction of EFD is going to make my job significantly more difficult I think a descent pay rise is the least we deserve. I'm sure the people that a forcing this heap of sht through will be handsomely rewarded in some form or other!

[Standard Noise]

The money for a decent pay rise is clearly there...

Correction, it was there, they gave it away as dividends rather than give it to those who deserve it!

[Mantovani]

Correction, it was there, they gave it away as dividends rather than give it to those who deserve it!

No. This year's pay rise will be funded out of money earned this year. If they don't give us a proper pay rise then that will mean yet more money in dividends for the Airline Group.

Who do you think is behind this drive to keep wages low?

[Standard Noise]

No idea, all I know is that they've finally realised that the 'NATS sets the market rate' argument about salaries is way off the mark and they've moved onto 'what will our customers think if we hand out big pay rises?'

This year's pay rise will be funded out of money earned this year.

Oh I'm sure they have an excuse all lined up not to part with the readies (see above for a few).
It's all crap.

[Weirdo Earthtorch]

...I think a descent pay rise is ...

I think you've hit the nail on the head there, oneowl.

[Me Me Me Me]

Without wishing to dampen the enthusiasm to reject anything other than a decent pay rise - I'm all for that... I too find it insulting to be told there is no money for a pay rise in these tough times while, at the same time, be told we are a healthy, profitable company that can afford to pay large dividends more than once a year.

However! Linking the money spent on the dividend(s) to a pay deal is misleading. Dividends are one-off payments with no future liability. Pay rises incur not only the cost of implementation and back-dating, but also an increase in future liability for every year until we all retire, both on monthly salary and on potential redundancy costs (obviously in their thinking). If we were all happy to take a nice wedge as a lump sum, rather than a salary rise, I'm sure money would be found - nobody in their right mind would accept though... Would they??

[Mantovani]

Not for Profit is dead. Paul Barron said so and the company accounts scream so.

The company is making fantastic profits and we need to secure our rightful share.

After all our hard work the 2% on the table is an insult.

As for lump sums, yeah why not; banks make big profits and the people who make those profits for them get nice big fat bonuses. Why should we miss out on those?

NATS is making big profits

[Dan Dare]

Having accepted a less than RPI rise last time round then we should not accept less than RPI again. Don't forget that anything more than RPI + 0.5% is no longer pensionable. It would have a knock-on affect for the rest of our lives!

If we believe official government RPI figures they can be found here

They show that we would need an unconditional increase of 6.8% just to stay level with our 2008 real buying power.

If they insist on a multi-year deal then anything less than RPI + 0.5% with no strings attached to help redress the previous loss would still be a slap in the face.

[Ceannairceach]

I hear that the best offer thus far is between 3% and 3.5% and linked to various task and demarcation changes on the NSL side of the business of which NTUS are having none. Hence the current stalemate.

Anyone more in the know than me care to shed some more light on the current situation?

[eastern wiseguy]

I hear that the best offer thus far is between 3% and 3.5% and linked to various task and demarcation changes on the NSL side of the business of which NTUS

That'll be ATCO's (NSL) taking on the MET at night then.

Decent pay offer gets made.....thrown out to members to vote on (PCS don't seem to be making too much noise for their grade)...how many at NPC and Swanwick will vote yes (after all it won't affect them)? Deal accepted...more distraction for ATCO's (NSL only..nothing for the centres to see here...keep moving.....ATSA grade (NSL) stuffed)

Watch this space......they are masters at divide and conquer .

Perhaps I am just old and cynical.

[ZOOKER]

Perhaps MET could take on ATC duties in return?
Saw ATCOs doing MET way back. Many observations missed due to traffic situation/other ATC issues, etc.
How long before ATCOs have to Hoover the tower on nights, saving on cleaning costs?

[Mantovani]

NATS is making fantastic profits

Inflation is touching 5%

The Union shouldn't consider any conditions whatsoever unless the offer is over 5%.

The Unions need to get the workers in on the bonuses thing too.

Why should managers be the only ones taking home wheel barrows every year?

[ZOOKER]

Mantovani,
Great post, shame about some of your orchestral arrangements though.
The Union are getting the workers on the bonuses thing.
According to one Union official writing in a recent GATCO magazine, the role of the ATCO is changing.
Controllers will soon be 'airspace managers'.
= BONUSES FOR ALL!

[Gonzo]

Anyone who thinks that ATCO at unit A will get to vote on a pay deal that's linked to an ATCO at unit B doing a certain task should talk to their union rep.