Prospect Press Release: NATS Staff Angry
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I feel vindicated. Those colleauges of mine who are now complaining that we were lied to about the financial state of the company and that's it's 'better to have a pay increase (even if it wasn't in real terms) rather than not have a job' (even though that was never a threat on the table) are the same ones who wouldn't believe the management were manipulating and bulls'ng them last year. I do fear though that history repeats itself because people do have short memories. They need to wake up and see the reality beyond that wool hanging over their face.
How does one convince their colleauges that they do have a choice in these matters and the whole point of a union putting a vote to members is to seek their opinion on matters, not the opinion they've been encouraged to believe through fear?
I'm glad I didn't vote for the pay deal last year, and I feel my judgement on management (albeit without hard facts at the time) was accurate.
That said, I am already looking for a different employer.
How does one convince their colleauges that they do have a choice in these matters and the whole point of a union putting a vote to members is to seek their opinion on matters, not the opinion they've been encouraged to believe through fear?
I'm glad I didn't vote for the pay deal last year, and I feel my judgement on management (albeit without hard facts at the time) was accurate.
That said, I am already looking for a different employer.
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There is a rumour on the Military Aircrew section of Pprune that the tax-free status of Military and Civil Service lump sums will be taxed with effect from 1 April 2011. IF TRUE then I can see a mass exodus of staff in March next year.
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Today’s ATCOs have been enjoying the T&Cs and benefits that their predecessors of 20 or 30 years ago won for them.
When Paul Barron challenged the willingness today’s of ATCO’s to standup and fight for their T&Cs and benefits he found them to be a bit of a pushover; they couldn’t even organize a half day walk out to save their pensions.
Is it really any wonder he decided to clean out the safe on his way out?
When Paul Barron challenged the willingness today’s of ATCO’s to standup and fight for their T&Cs and benefits he found them to be a bit of a pushover; they couldn’t even organize a half day walk out to save their pensions.
Is it really any wonder he decided to clean out the safe on his way out?
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BD
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<<< There is a rumour on the Military Aircrew section of PPRuNe that the tax-free status of Military and Civil Service lump sums will be taxed with effect from 1 April 2011>>>
BDIonU, if you're happy to have your lump sum taxed instead of tax-free, then Oi must be 'considerably poorer than Yow'. Also - are ATCOs subject even in principle to giving one years notice of early gos?
If so, lemme see, July 2010 + 12 months = ....., er = ... D'oh! Too late!
TBH, I am amazed that Gordon and his Gopher didn't try and get their grubby mitts on lump sums years ago.
BDIonU, if you're happy to have your lump sum taxed instead of tax-free, then Oi must be 'considerably poorer than Yow'. Also - are ATCOs subject even in principle to giving one years notice of early gos?
If so, lemme see, July 2010 + 12 months = ....., er = ... D'oh! Too late!
TBH, I am amazed that Gordon and his Gopher didn't try and get their grubby mitts on lump sums years ago.
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When Paul Barron challenged the willingness today’s of ATCO’s to standup and fight for their T&Cs and benefits he found them to be a bit of a pushover; they couldn’t even organize a half day walk out to save their pensions.
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Historically the CAA recruited the majority of its ATC staff from the military and the tax-free lump sum on retirement from the CAA may have been an extention of the military gratuity to long serving military members. I do know that at one time the CAA Pension Fund would accept time served transfers from military pensions to the CAAPS even though there was no correlation between the two pension schemes in monetary terms.
IF the rumour on the Military website is true I would suggest that it would be politically unacceptable to tax the military gratuity of "Our boys serving in Afghanistan" and yet let "Lazy Civil Servants who ruin your holidays" retain the tax-free benefit (My interpretation of the Daily Mail/Daily Express headlines)
I think that BdIONU misses the point, no one is saying the the CAAPS cannot afford it but what is being said is that why should the hard pressed taxpayer in the form of HMRC make allowances for it. It is after all a "tax free bonus" (again the Daily Mails interpretation)
One further thing is that to accept the atco enhanced early retirement scheme you have to give 12 months notice, however if you wish to resign and claim your pension then you only have to give 3 months notice. Individuals may wish to look at the figures and maybe it is better to take the tax free lump sum and give three months notice than accept the enhanced early retirement and lose 40% in tax. You are quite entitled to resign and only give three months notice that is in the staff handbook although IF this rumour is true and extended to NATS staff the management may try to make you believe you have to give twelve months notice fearing a mass exodus of staff and the knock-on effect on traffic levels due to staff shortages. I also believe that a 12 month notice period is unenforcable under European legislation as it compromises an individuals freedom of association and other "stuff"
IF the rumour on the Military website is true I would suggest that it would be politically unacceptable to tax the military gratuity of "Our boys serving in Afghanistan" and yet let "Lazy Civil Servants who ruin your holidays" retain the tax-free benefit (My interpretation of the Daily Mail/Daily Express headlines)
I think that BdIONU misses the point, no one is saying the the CAAPS cannot afford it but what is being said is that why should the hard pressed taxpayer in the form of HMRC make allowances for it. It is after all a "tax free bonus" (again the Daily Mails interpretation)
One further thing is that to accept the atco enhanced early retirement scheme you have to give 12 months notice, however if you wish to resign and claim your pension then you only have to give 3 months notice. Individuals may wish to look at the figures and maybe it is better to take the tax free lump sum and give three months notice than accept the enhanced early retirement and lose 40% in tax. You are quite entitled to resign and only give three months notice that is in the staff handbook although IF this rumour is true and extended to NATS staff the management may try to make you believe you have to give twelve months notice fearing a mass exodus of staff and the knock-on effect on traffic levels due to staff shortages. I also believe that a 12 month notice period is unenforcable under European legislation as it compromises an individuals freedom of association and other "stuff"
Last edited by DC10RealMan; 9th Jul 2010 at 18:42.
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There is a rumour on the Military Aircrew section of Pprune that the tax-free status of Military and Civil Service lump sums will be taxed with effect from 1 April 2011. IF TRUE then I can see a mass exodus of staff in March next year.
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the tax-free lump sum on retirement from the CAA may have been an extention of the military gratuity to long serving military members
Most public sector schemes oblige the members to take the lump sum. In the NATS scheme, it's optional.
Last edited by PeltonLevel; 9th Jul 2010 at 21:40.
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Probably had something to do with us wearing long shorts and flip flops eh Frank? BTW, how are you getting on wearing trousers in this heat?
I get on fine wearing trousers to work thanks, have you never noticed Swanwick has air conditioning.
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If that is true, and I sincerely hope it isn't then NATS may well think it is comfortably staffed at present for iFACTS training and the like but it won't be come April 1st 2011. I can't think there would be anyone over 55 who would even consider taking the risk of it being taxed. Now who knows how many that may be?
