what´s going on in Spain
Submitted by anabel on Thu, 11/02/2010 - 01:52.
In Spain the propaganda war against air traffic controllers has led to the publication of a Royal Decree-Law that dismisses all the agreements negotiated between USCA ( the Spanish air traffic controller´s union) and AENA these past years.
We have experienced an extension of labour hours at company's will with no negotiation at all.
Technical-operative decisions normally made by the controller on duty anywhere in the World (such as the runway in use), in Spain, from now on, can be made by the management of the ANSP in the interest of the so called efficiency of the system.
The elementary safety issues have been completely forgotten.
Traffic controllers have to change working location for service obligation. You can be sent to work anywhere in Spain at government´s command.
There will be recruiting of new controllers with only a shortened training period thanks to an aeronautical background . It´s allowed recruitment with no local language proficiency.
All made in a dictatorial and autocratic manner. With rush, due to “emergency situation”.
And with the agreement of the public opinion due to a savage media campaign
I am ashamed of my country
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what's going on in Spain
ena is close to bankruptcy and is eager to sell off parts of its business. It needs a good excuse to expedite the process, earning public opinion favour along the way.
Usca, representing 95% of spanish Air Traffic Controllers, has repeatedly shown it's willingness to continue meeting until a fair agreement has been attained.
Mr José Blancoi, the Minister of Development, has recently involved himself in the conflict by announcing in the media that spanish ATCOs , with their 334.000 euro average annual salary (which is radically false) and the lowest productivity in the region (based n very biased data provided by aena, the ANSP, to EUROCONTROL), are to blame for the Provider's situation. He adds that they manage their own timetables or resting periods and can retire at the age of 52, with full pay.
Usca denies all these allegations and refers to the fact that Aena hasn't foreseen the need to employ many more controllers. It adds that data Aena remits to Eurocontrol are partial and not comparable to those of other countries.
Aena unilaterally deserted the negotiating table last week. Last Friday (5th Feb.)José Blanco presented an Urgent Royal Decree ruling that Air Traffic Controllers increase their working hours by 50%, preventing early retirement (up to age 65) for three years and reducing resting periods within shifts. It also threatens with layoffs for whoever fails to comply with the strict requirements which include Aena managing a large operational part of the system.
The Royal Decree itself admits being contrary to parts of the Spanish legal system including the Constitution and the Workers' Rule, placing the "urgent necessity" before consideration to Law. I add that it seems a new model, putting economic benefits before Safety, is being implemented.
The Controllers counter-attack stating that Aena's poor situation is due only to lousy planning and gross mismanagement.
Spanish Controllers, European Union Controllers' Associations, the Intenational Federation of Airline Pilots Associations and others have conveyed their concern around potential threats to safety or expected delays whilst the conflict persists.
In the meantime, USCA reports hacking into their website and spying their phones.
what's going on in Spain
ena is close to bankruptcy and is eager to sell off parts of its business. It needs a good excuse to expedite the process, earning public opinion favour along the way.
Usca, representing 95% of spanish Air Traffic Controllers, has repeatedly shown it's willingness to continue meeting until a fair agreement has been attained.
Mr José Blancoi, the Minister of Development, has recently involved himself in the conflict by announcing in the media that spanish ATCOs , with their 334.000 euro average annual salary (which is radically false) and the lowest productivity in the region (based n very biased data provided by aena, the ANSP, to EUROCONTROL), are to blame for the Provider's situation. He adds that they manage their own timetables or resting periods and can retire at the age of 52, with full pay.
Usca denies all these allegations and refers to the fact that Aena hasn't foreseen the need to employ many more controllers. It adds that data Aena remits to Eurocontrol are partial and not comparable to those of other countries.
Aena unilaterally deserted the negotiating table last week. Last Friday (5th Feb.)José Blanco presented an Urgent Royal Decree ruling that Air Traffic Controllers increase their working hours by 50%, preventing early retirement (up to age 65) for three years and reducing resting periods within shifts. It also threatens with layoffs for whoever fails to comply with the strict requirements which include Aena managing a large operational part of the system.
The Royal Decree itself admits being contrary to parts of the Spanish legal system including the Constitution and the Workers' Rule, placing the "urgent necessity" before consideration to Law. I add that it seems a new model, putting economic benefits before Safety, is being implemented.
The Controllers counter-attack stating that Aena's poor situation is due only to lousy planning and gross mismanagement.
Spanish Controllers, European Union Controllers' Associations, the Intenational Federation of Airline Pilots Associations and others have conveyed their concern around potential threats to safety or expected delays whilst the conflict persists.
In the meantime, USCA reports hacking into their website and spying their phones.