VT and Wattisham

[niknak]

When do VT take over from SERCO at Wattisham?

As VT are advertising for atcos and other bods for Wattisham, it seems that they're cutting things a bit fine or the majority of SERCO staff have turned them down and they're desperate.
So, how many, if any, SERCO atco staff are staying at Wattisham?

Is it true that SERCO have offered some of the more experienced and qualified atcos gardening leave, with the obvious long term consequences for the VT contract?

[LXGB]

Think of a number between 1 and 10.

Half it.

Should be about right.

Cheers,
LXGB.

PS - Dunno about gardening leave, but my lawn could do with a good strimming .

[Hew Jampton]

Apologies for off-subject posting, but it is to do with Wattisham, so might be answered by someone there: what was the Royal 146 doing this afternoon with escorting aircraft, and what were they, FR's Falcons perhaps?

[Wycombe]

Hew...

All part of the rehearsals for the Queens Flypast next Tues.

A 146 with 2 125's is one of the elements (along with various other RAF heavy and pointy types)

[The Claw]

I thought that it was the MD of VT Aerospace arriving.............

[bobsureuncle]

VT vs Serco

OK here's how it goes.

VT have been awarded the contract at Wattisham to supply Air Traffic Services and Lynx Simulators. The phase in program began on May 1st with August 1st being the date they will be expected to run the contract on their own without anyone holding their hand !!

At the moment it is not clear how many of the Wattisham Controllers will elect to stay with VT but there will certainly not be a 100% transfer across. So far the VT presentations have been poor and have done little to put at ease controllers and assistants who are still deciding, indeed if they continue to win friends at the current rate then will the last one out please turn off the lights !!

Only now are they advertising for vacancies at Wattisham and allowing for the recruitment phase, periods of notice to be served, subsequent training and validations they should be fully contract compliant by Christmas (year TBA !!!)

[Legs11]

Bob, you were up early this morning

Can't believe that serco would pay for controllers to sit at home, but I gather the TUPE list is getting shorter by the hour.

The question is...if VT can't provide August 1st, are they in default? If so what happens?

[matspart3]

Where are all the Wattisham people going to go then, if they choose to stay with Serco?

[bobsureuncle]

In response to Legs11

Yes, As I'm sure you're well aware the TUPE list shrinks with every passing day, VT are going to have to prise open that enormous corporate chequebook soon if they want someone available with the code to the door on August 1st !!
Whilst technically they would be in default with insufficient staff to even put the kettle on I'm sure that MOD contracts division would find a nicer way to describe it if it meant all that extra cash saved could be stuffed back into the MOD mattress !!

Matspart3,

Serco have generously offered positions to any ATCO not wanting to stay at Wattisham, and there is no truth in the rumour that Middle Wallop is soon to be renamed Middle Wattisham !!!

[ATCO Wannabe]

VT ATCA's at Wattisham

Hey,

ANyone here got any ideas what sort of salary a ATCA / Air Traffic Assistants will get working at Wattisham with VT Aerospace?


Any other information regarding to Wattisham and VT would be grateufully appreciated.


Thanks