Spanish Air Traffic - £300k WTF ??

[Tricky Dicky]

Did I just hear correclty ? These Spanish air traffic controllers that have gone on strike earn about £300k ? Blimey - they're not going to get much sympathy in a country with 20% unemployment rate are they ?

Is that really the sort of money there people earn ? Even in this country ? A responsible job, I know but even so ....

 

[clapham_gull]

Did I just hear correclty ? These Spanish air traffic controllers that have gone on strike earn about £300k ? Blimey - they're not going to get much sympathy in a country with 20% unemployment rate are they ?

Is that really the sort of money there people earn ? Even in this country ? A responsible job, I know but even so ....

£200,000 basic apparently....

 

[Stoo82]

Viva the revolution comrades.

 

[Mowgli]

From the BBC.....

Analysis


Sarah Rainsford
BBC News, Madrid
The government has stepped in with the firmest possible measures. For the first time ever, the government has declared a state of alert in Spain, with immediate effect.

This means air traffic controllers are officially mobilised. If they refuse to work they will be committing the crime of disobedience according to Spain's military penal code.

These are extremely tough measures being taken by the government, which says the controllers are holding the country hostage and that is unacceptable.

The controllers can earn 350,000 euros ($470,000; £297,000). There is not a lot of sympathy for them in a country with 20% unemployment.

 

[Castello]

From the BBC.....

Analysis


Sarah Rainsford
BBC News, Madrid
The government has stepped in with the firmest possible measures. For the first time ever, the government has declared a state of alert in Spain, with immediate effect.

This means air traffic controllers are officially mobilised. If they refuse to work they will be committing the crime of disobedience according to Spain's military penal code.

These are extremely tough measures being taken by the government, which says the controllers are holding the country hostage and that is unacceptable.

The controllers can earn 350,000 euros ($470,000; £297,000). There is not a lot of sympathy for them in a country with 20% unemployment.

Leaving aside the point that even I would draw the line at fighting for such a pay rise with strike action, just how would they enforce a decision to make someone work or go to prison. I can understand how you could threaten them with dismissal. Surely making someone choose between work and prison would breach the article 4 of the European Convention of Human Rights banning slavery, servituda and forced labour.

 

[seagull_in_malaysia]

300k? I chose the wrong career...

 

[bhaexpress]

Leaving aside the point that even I would draw the line at fighting for such a pay rise with strike action, just how would they enforce a decision to make someone work or go to prison. I can understand how you could threaten them with dismissal. Surely making someone choose between work and prison would breach the article 4 of the European Convention of Human Rights banning slavery, servituda and forced labour.

I suspect that it's in their terms and conditions of employment. It boils down to the same situation as members of the military refusing to obey orders. The fact that most people feel that their behaviour is morally reprehensible is purely academic.

 

[Cubbard]

some earn even more than 300k

 

[Boroseagull]

Highest paid in Europe & facing a 5% cut.....bless!

 

[bhaexpress]

I love it, a country that relies quite heavily on tourism for it's income is once again scuppered by the short sightedness (okay greed) of a handful of workers. I haven't been to Spain for over 20 years and have no plans to go there again. I haven't had a holiday in Europe for a long time because all too often I have been messed about by the industrial action of various different groups. It's bad enough that I get messed about by train/tube strikes when I'm working and I'll be damned if I'll put up with it on holiday.

Seeing as Spain is close to having to beg the EEC for a bale out you wonder just what these ATC people think they're doing.

 

[cannedheat]

Leaving aside the point that even I would draw the line at fighting for such a pay rise with strike action, just how would they enforce a decision to make someone work or go to prison. I can understand how you could threaten them with dismissal. Surely making someone choose between work and prison would breach the article 4 of the European Convention of Human Rights banning slavery, servituda and forced labour.

The airports have now come under martial law so the ATC have to obey, and article 4 is used as an arse wipe when this happens.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

I'm not planning on changing career, but do our own guys earn anything like that ? If I had been asked to guess, I would have thought more in the £40k-£50k bracket - but have no real idea. Just curious.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I'm not planning on changing career, but do our own guys earn anything like that ? If I had been asked to guess, I would have thought more in the £40k-£50k bracket - but have no real idea. Just curious.

I've got a brother that's ATC. Think he said they get somewhere around £50k. Its certainly nowhere near £100k let alone £300k.

 

[Bad Ash]

I'm not planning on changing career, but do our own guys earn anything like that ? If I had been asked to guess, I would have thought more in the £40k-£50k bracket - but have no real idea. Just curious.

According to http://ww2.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/air_traffic_controller_salary.jsp:

# The starting salary is £10,781 during the first year of training, with an additional £60 per week accommodation allowance. The salary rises to £15,450 - £18,540 on appointment, depending upon location. Salaries typically rise after validation (two years into the first appointment) to £47,600 £52,400, depending on posted unit (salary data collected December 2009). The larger and more complex centres, such as Heathrow and Swanwick, have higher salaries.

The typical salary for airport controllers with 10-15 years’ experience is £66,295. The typical salary for area centre controllers with substantial experience is around £91,000 (salary data collected December 2009). More senior management grades run from £79,673 to £98,020. Again, location has an effect on salary.