Long time no see?

You may have noticed that we've been quiet for a while; we were requested by a member of the CANG (via email) to "lay off" and not to interfere with the proceedings; or not to provide fodder/evidence for the AIRC; we have primarily stuck to that request, but cannot remain silent.

Yesterday marked the final negotiating meeting for the "2008 Certified Shafting" in 2008. We presume this makes it a "2009 Certified Shafting" process after all.

As predicted by us back in April, nothing above CPI has been conceded by our wonderful employer and to get that we need to surrender conditions of employment that the employer cannot be trusted to administer in a fair and reasonable manner.  

They have form, none of it good!

Airshambles has hitched their wagon to the latest 'sky is falling' crisis that has come along; this time the financial credit crunch and reduced airline growth (note not reductions just slowing growth) is to blame, last time it was the crushing impacts of fuel increases and reducing airline industry figures produced by IATA combined with the Howard workchoices implementation dates.; the time before that it was the collapse of Ansett and post Sept 11 aviation market reductions.

Can we as a collective catch a break?

Well since 2001 we have observed massive growth in movements of bigger and bigger aircraft, providing now huge revenues with ever decreasing wages. We have seen or 'customers' produce record after record profits all the while playing the 'sky is falling' card.

Airshambles Australia is offering you in "real terms" a reduction of between 8 and 17 %, depending on the value of the conditions of employment they want you to surrender, some say much more.  Airshambles claims that they have provided a fair and reasonable offer.

We have seen more and more ATCs depart for other paddocks or simply removing their shingle from the stoop and running away to another locations; we have seen more than ever the reliance on overtime, and the few of us that remain on the boards under more pressure than ever; particularly when 'required' to attend for additional duty, or at least made to feel that way.

The supply and demand argument is definitely in our favour; bugger the 'frame work arguments' because they principles contained within that document are being selectively chosen or selectively ignored.

We note that a deal is not likely now until well into the new year.

That the wagons are being circled on both sides and an industrial battle looks more likely than not.

That the promises by TFN for "a better way" have probably resulted in the most hostile negotiations in recent memory.  

We hate to say it, but WE TOLD YOU SO.