UK - NATS Pay negotiations - latest rumours

[kats-I]

Does anyone else find it strange that something as big and wide as the Local/European elections can be balloted using the little black boxes up and down the country, involving millions of voters, but our pay ballot had to be done by post instead of boxes at units???

Perhaps I've got a suspicious mind..no wonder really though.

[chiglet]

Does anyone else find it strange that something as big and wide as the Local/European elections can be balloted using the little black boxes up and down the country, involving millions of voters, but our pay ballot had to be done by post instead of boxes at units???

Ahh, but they have a "Neutral" person...with a "supervisor" to ensure a fair count and especially a recount. That costs serious dosh.....
Nuff sed

[PeltonLevel]

National elections

they have a "Neutral" person.

Actually, they have a minimum of two people available to watch each box throughout the time when the election is open, the box is held in secure storage between close of poll and the count (with police on hand) and the boxes are opened with representatives of all protagonists witnessing the count. Imagine doing that FOR EACH NATS SITE WHERE THERE ARE UNION MEMBERS FOR THE PERIOD WHEN THE BALLOT IS OPEN!

Give up the conspiracy theories - cockups DO happen!

[kats-I]

PeltonLevel

Give up the conspiracy theories - cockups DO happen!

Yes "cockups" do happen but for the important things in life a failsafe should be put in to ensure they don't.!!

You obviously think there was a "cockup" somewhere along the line and if you are happy with that ...fine..but if a "cockup" means I (and others) lose out on pension and paydeals then believe me I'm not happy!!

Who said it has to be a union guy watching over the boxes? As long as they are locked and tamperproof then any nominated union member could care for them!

[kats-I]

PeltonLevel

Also when there is a local ballot at units for "Trivial" things then the union/management is quite happy to leave the boxes lying around the ops rooms for days unattended!!

[PeltonLevel]

You obviously think there was a "cockup" somewhere along the line

Yes - I think there were cockups with the pension vote - not every eligible member seems to have received a ballot paper. Whether that is the fault of the Post Office, the unions or the members themselves, I cannot judge. I have to say I have very little experience of lost mail (although a friend in the direct mail business says it is not uncommon and I must admit to neither knowing nor caring whether unsolicited mail has gone missing.)

[Minesapint]

Has there been some sort of vote - no ballot paper for me - again!

[kats-I]

Minesapint

I'm sure you're joking but if not ...Where have you been?

Get on to your rep immediately and get a voting form sent to you.. times running out.

[jonny B good]

Missing Ballot Papers

If you have not recieved a ballot paper contact your Central Union Office, not your rep. The rep cannot have another ballot sent out, only the central office. Also, it is likely they may only send it to the address you have registered with them, hence the need to make sure you keep your contact details up to date.

Vote YES or NO, but at least vote!

[kats-I]

jonny B good,

Thanks for correction..wasn't sure who he should contact but knew his rep would send him in right direction...hopefully.

[opnot]

VOTE NO
I would have thought that a 55+ atco with say 5 years to go is cheaper to employ than a 45+ atco on the same scale point with 15 years to go

[Vote NO]

A 45+ ATCO won't take VR, but a 55+ ATCO might

[expediteoff]

"A 45+ ATCO won't take VR, but a 55+ ATCO might "

Don't bank on it - depends what the terms of the VR offered were!!

[Vote NO]

Unlikely to exceed 3 years wages

[Ahh-40612]

VR - stop getting my hopes up!

Old git wanting to get out ASAP.

[Vote NO]

Don't rule it out if you are in mid fifties

[hold at SATAN]

Ten Days To Go....

For those who haven't yet received their voting forms you MUST get in touch with the Central Union Office. The Vote closes on 18th June (week on thursday) so really it needs to be posted by Tuesday 16th June at the very latest.

I've Voted No because i think the deal is crap, especially as the bosses have just received their bonuses (it's alright for some) which runs into the tens of thousands and in some cases, 6 figures (hundreds of thousands)

But whatever you do, just send off your vote, either way. Apathy will be the worst outcome - just look at yesterday's Euro election turnout!

[expediteoff]

How do I go about joining the RMT?

[Me Me Me Me]

email them and ask them to send you an application form.

wont do you any good if you work for NATS tho

I dont think it's coincidence that the first major ballot issue after we had some large scale relocations is where a lot of people didn't receive their ballot papers. Be honest... If you're one of them, did you bother to change your contact address with Prospect/PCS before the vote was arranged?

[expediteoff]

Never had a problem receiving a ballot paper for any vote - I always keep my details up to date!

Just thought it would be a nice change to have representation that recommended taking the fight to management over such things as - pay deals based on last years RPI, and fighting for promises made during privatisation regarding changes to members terms and conditions (Both main reasons of the present RMT dispute)

(and yes I've been on the BEC in the past and I'm a current rep at my unit)