UK Public Sector Workers' Strike 30 June - Flights Affected?

[Free at Last]

I saw on the news yesterday that public sector workers (at least in the PSCU and possibly others too) are to hold a one day strike on 30 June. Does anyone know if air traffic controllers will be involved? I am due to fly back from the UK that day and am wondering if I should try to change the date of my flight rather than risk being stuck at the airport.

[masterob]

Air Traffic Controllers in the UK are represented by the IPCS who, so far, have not voted for Industrial Action. Staff at the UK Border Agency (Customs & Immigration) are represented by the PCS so, at the worst, you may find delays clearing them but probably, for flights within the EU, you won't notice a thing.

[Campo Steve]

Air Traffic Controllers are represented by IPMS, not IPCS. The name changed many years ago.

Air Traffic Service Assistants are represented by PCS.

Both are basically Civil Service unions but controllers and assistants are not civil service. Membership of those unions dates back to the early 70's when it was a civil service job. I think it was 1974 when that changed. Most (all of the enroute staff and the majority of airport staff) are now employed by NATS, a pivate company.

If they were to strike in support of the action then it would be secondary action, which is illegal. They have not been balloted on action so it is unlikely to happen.

However, Border Agency and Customs staff could strike, which could cause delays.

I find it interesting to note that in the last two or three years big changes were made to the ATC pension scheme (didn't affect me as already retired). Many ATC staff were, and still are, unhappy that the unions supported the changes. In my opinion this would make them even less likely to support action called by the unions.

[peteroldracer]

public sector workers

Another oxymoron?

[Mowser]

public sector workers

Another oxymoron?

Only one moron here Peter.

[Free at Last]

Certainly not an oxymoron in my view. I was a public sector worker for a number of years and I worked extremely hard. In fact the cushiest job I ever had was in the private sector, as PA to the Finance Director of a plc. I had next to nothing to do and stuck it for all of 5 months before I had to find something else as I was bored to death.

Thanks to those who explained the position regarding the air traffic controllers, that's reassuring.

[Mowser]

Free at last
All those people rubbishing the public sector seem to forget that we had to bail out the private sector.

[Bowler]

There are actually no real public sector "workers" are there, there are people who are employed by local councils etc but they do not actually produce anything, they originally go for these jobs for the short hours, Mon to Fri work days, good pensions etc, but they don't actually DO anything, if the government really want to save money this is the area they should be targeting especially the Town Hall " i'm alright Jack" brigade, now miners, bricklayers, plasterers, road workers, they are workers !!

[Bowler]

Free at last
All those people rubbishing the public sector seem to forget that we had to bail out the private sector.

And how much of your own money (we) and by the way was that Scottish loan money from the Gov or did the Jocks actually put up some of their own dosh, which by the way they don't have, did you put up as security ??

[Campo Steve]

Don't go there Bowler. The Scots on this forum know all the facts and figures to show you don't know what you are talking about on that topic.

[mozzie]

What about all the oil revenues from the jocks - If only that was there "OWN dosh"

[julian]

"now miners, bricklayers, plasterers, road workers, they are workers !

especially those who specialise in renovating old and constructing new houses eh Bowler !!!!

[Bowler]

What about all the oil revenues from the jocks - If only that was there "OWN dosh"

What oil revenue, the money invested in those extraction procedures was put up by the English gov !!

[katy]

There seems to be an awfully lot of public sector workers on this forum who have taken early retirement and have a decent lifestyle which says it all Don't hear much about people from the private sector doing this.

[Free at Last]

Fred Goodwin was 50 when he started drawing his pension of £693,000 per year - his reward for presiding over the ruin of RBS. That's just one example - and if there is a truly "gold-plated" pension scheme in the UK, as the tabloids are fond of describing public sector schemes, it is that of MPs - but funnily enough I haven't heard them making any noises yet about how the taxpayer can't afford to continue subsidising it, how we all have to shoulder the burden of reducing the deficit, blah, blah blah.

I retired from my job early, but not funded from my earnings in the public sector (although I will have a pension to look forward to after contributing for 25 years) - took advantage of the fact that the value of my house in the UK almost tripled in value in the space of 3 years, and an inheritance from the OH's father.

We often hear the Government bemoaning the fact that people are not making enough financial provision for their retirement. Now they are reducing the value of the few schemes left that give workers a decent (not excessive) income in retirement. Private schemes (except the ones available to the likes of Goodwin and other fat cat Directors) are not worth joining due to the exorbitant management charges which reduce the value of the pension fund, and your projected income in retirement can be decimated by events entirely beyond your control (eg a major terrorist attack which affects world stock markets). The property market is in the doldrums, interest rates on savings are at an all time low - so just how does the Government expect people to be able to save enough to fund their retirement?

[mozzie]

Didn't know the ENGLISH had a government. , When did that happen ...Hmmm

[peteroldracer]

Opting for a flat-rate income tax system would reduce the need for HMRC staff by about 40%, and with no allowances would cut out many avoidance schemes...but no government would risk the backlash from the increased unemployment figures.
Don't get me wrong, I know there are workers in the public sector - binmen, parks people, road gritters et al - but most of them are or could be working for private contractors - it is the legions of paper-shufflers that are paid to make these things happen that I object to. The story is similar in the NHS and the teaching trade (not worth categorising as a profession any more), with the bizarre budgeting rules that disincentivise good fiscal management, and the political bunfighting over targets.
I was grateful for the chance to join HMRC for a while, to pass the time before retiring to Spain, but it was the first time in my life that I had done something that only benefited me, and produced absolutely nothing, like 90% of the staff in the building.