My apologies, it does, of course, take two to tango. What I was attempting to point out to those who are hostile to and critical of the current banding arrangements is that they agreed to it.

BD

Prospect is of course a democratic organisation whereby the majority vote wins the day. Add up the number of potential voters at Band 1,2 and 3 units and compare to the number of same at Bands 4 and 5.....

If the all of the former voted "nay" and the majority of the latter vote "yay" then the latter will win. I am NOT claiming that this actually happened but it does show that statements like the above are not necessarily true.

Remember HTD? Vote on its abolition given to those who didn't even qualify for it! Who is going to vote "no" to a wodge of dosh for getting rid of something they didn't even get? :ugh:

No Doubt LV's will be next - and I expect all those who don't currently qualify for them will again get the "bribe" so that the minority can vote against to their hearts content without affecting the desired outcome:*

DD

Anotherthing,
The Band 6 pay elsewhere was to reflect the huge cost of living there.The pay was very good,but the accomodation allowance was the same as a Band 2 take home pay in 2001.Traffic loading was busy and complexity was high.Ever worked Metric levels?:ok:
That's a shame your not coming up to heli land and getting a £23K pay cut.I was looking forward to you 100% validating.:E Don't forget that there is over 30% inflation in the housing market here so Hants isn't the only expensive place to live.Heating costs are far higher here as well.
As Data Dad say the Band1-3 units are always going to be at the mercy of the higher band units.That why Band 4-5 units are kept sweet,and the rest are not.How about Nats/Prospect rewarding over 25% increase in our traffic :D.Probably with another pay cut comparing with Band4-5.:(
I think I'll just eat the chips on my shoulder,and quit Prospect.What's the point in wasting that money for Scottish Football Association.
Ps we can't,all 75 of us,be union reps.

So what do you suggest, proportional representation? I personally don't see any other way in which the company can negotiate with its employees except through some form of representative body.

Oh and I very much doubt LVs will disappear. The larger units have subsidised canteens so the rest have to be treated equally. Even though there is obvious misuse of LVs in some cases.

BD

How can you misuse luncheon vouchers? I used to buy curries with mine, does than count?

Excellent use although I bet your workmates weren't best pleased with the result when you went back to work ;) Misuse as in using them for things other than food, which some places 'allow'.

BD

Green eyed monster bd? Maybe you would prefer LV's instead of your subsidised canteen /starbucks / deli menu /fed up queing quick sandwich menu?. Of course you have NO problems bringing stuff airside....oh wait...you don't work airside anymore do you?:ugh::ugh:

Not at all jealous, I wouldn't particularly want LV's but I do notice that some places accept LV's for things that aren't, well, food ;) I've never worked airside thanks. One thing the company does get at places like the CTC are people who grab a sandwich to take back to their desk and carry on working. Backroom boys and girls have no mandated break periods ;)
The point of my earlier post was that I find it extremely unlikely that LV's will be taken away whilst larger units continue to enjoy subsidised canteens.

BD

Therefore another way to save the company money - don't subsidise canteens and don't give LV's

Bd

Oh.....silly me.

RAF stations don't have airside as you think of it ;) To a great extent once you're through the gate you're airside. Oh nor LV's, subsidised canteens or pay banding for ATCO's ;) My pay in NATS as an 'ATSA' grade is well over twice what I was paid as an RAF ATCO who controlled at the busiest airfields (Valley and Gutersloh) and in area at ScOACC and LATCC in LJAO.

BD

Could have been at Stansted too, their tower landside is it not?

As for misusing LV's I feel really guilty now for buying Gin and Red wine in my weekly shop when I used to buy my food to take to work with me!!

Bolleaux...the Rose Bowl at RAF Aldergrove/ The Loughside same location and any one of 30 odd bars and eateries scattered around the camp seemed pretty well subsidised to me...but hey ho.

Now if only they would take LV's ...quids in!!!:p

Enjoy subsidised canteens? i take it you have never had the pleasure of dining at TC then! "Enjoy" is not a word I would choose to use, neither is "subsidised"...you're looking at £3-£4 for something that can only be described as curried. I would love to have LVs instead....

I have dined at West Drayton (assume thats what you mean by TC), Prestwick, Swanwick and CTC. Everywhere there is one very similar comment "The food is much better at <one of the other places>"

BD

I spent 25 years in the RAF and I suspect you're suffering from the perception that many civilians suffer from. The Armed Forces pay for food and drink same as everyone else, they pay for housing, they don't enjoy tax breaks whilst living overseas. Those are all things I've heard from civilians who believe that the Forces don't pay for.
Also the Forces have poor wages, no overtime but are expected to work extra hours and no shift pay but shifts are often the norm.

I seem to have hit a nerve with my off the cuff comment on misuse of LV's.

BD

I think you speak for nearly everyone there. Most of the stuff the canteens produce is 4th rate at best and I don't believe they are that subsidised.

I can have a cooked breakfast for less than a pound. If you don't believe they're subsidised ask your union rep as its part of the pay deal :) Better still put the question up on the Q&A board in the foyer at West Drayton and the GM Swanwick (AB) can answer you fully and put the answer up on the intranet for all to read. I've read through the list of Q&A and he gives very thorough answers to all sorts of questions.


BD

If you don't believe they're subsidised, please do get in touch and I'll arrange a visit to Heathrow, and then you can see how much we have to pay for a hot dinner or cooked breakfast from one of the T3 food outlets. And in general there's no difference in quality.

Gonzo,
Don't you get LV's at LL?