055166k Surely you don't include the future doubling of the workforce at the new Tech centre? :hmm:

055166k

I agree with everything you say and I understand all the frustrations. Still that does not change anything, certainly not for the better, does it?

If the only objective is to blow steam and get it off one's chest, fine, but one can not expect any improvements that way. I'm sorry but I also think it's simply too easy to blame it all on management. What do we as individuals do to improve matters?

Whilst I understand your feeling on this, and share many of them, I do believe that some of these feelings are a little 'head in sand'. That may sound brutal but its not meant to be. Front line operational ATC staff deliver the service - using equipment that has been designed, implemented, maintained, supported and developed by 'others'. It aint easy buddy!

What really needs to happen is establish how many support staff are required for core business and then what do we need to gain contracts worldwide - some of the people that do that will work at the CTC (I do not). The business (hopefully) grows which means new kit and fatter salaries. As far as new business goes we are sitting back a little too much and allowing Eurocontrol etc to do the work for us. Thing is, they are currently better at it. They use external contractors who's existance depends on the service they provide - like operational ATC staff. In NATS contracts can and do drag on for eons with no blame culture. They cost millions and ensure that we will not be considered for overseas 'whole package' (engineering and ATC) contracts by many ANSP's. Why should they when they can do it better themselves or get Eurocontrol to do it for them??? :confused:

What is the solution?
 

Fair points all, thanks for being down to earth. Could a solution to the lack of transparency be a sub-division of NATS into more recognisable chunks?
NATS Operations
NATS External Business
NATS Training
NATS R&D
etc. etc.
Each sub division could sink or swim on its own merits, as a coal facer I sometimes feel like an alien in what NATS appears to have become. The most insignificant of factors has led to this continuing sour taste.......do you know that something as petty as the re-instatement of a proper Fam Flight and Liaison Visit scheme would at least indicate to me that Management knew I existed. What other professional organisation, indeed what other part of THIS organisation, expects necessary training and development to be done in one's own time at one's own expense?........to me that indicates where we are at!

Excellent! Actually I think that this is already happening. The Concept of Engineering completely splits engineering from ATC. No engineers will work in the ATC part and vice versa. If staff with ATC or engineering skills are required in each half then they are regraded. The CoE splits engineering into disciplines such as project management and operational engineering. This would then allow NATS engineering to be run almost as its own company seeking new business for the parent NATS. In that way the engineers can actively seek engineering contracts and so on.

The engineers seem to think that we are next - I don't think so!!!:cool:

Destinations
 

A9nother day the same old crap and as for destinations...well if you are an ATSA or and Engineer...the only destination is the dole queue...thanks Tony Blair et al.

Hallingbury,

I only have one “destination” - to make it to a hopefully long and happy retirement. I need to keep my job with NATS in order for the retirement part to be one with a better financial base and outlook. Therefore, I have no intention in just rolling over and letting Management show me the door.

Rather than just accepting what’s regarded as the inevitable, why not try to debate the issue of ATSA retention? Do this by trying to highlight any faults in Management’s ATSA-less or ATSA-reduced game plans, bringing it to peoples’ attention, and then offering possible solutions or compromises to problems which could result. At least that gives everybody food for thought, and hopefully time enough to do something about it if needed.

Saying and doing nothing does not.