NATS deal with strings



Last month, the second half of a two-year deal, negotiated by the PCS and Prospect unions at air traffic controlller NATS, came into effect. 



The second year of the deal brought consolidated increases of at least 1.2%, made up of a pensionable increase of at least 0.2% and a non-pensionable increase of 1.0%. 



The deal came with a number of joint commitments. There were to be discussions about specific issues including work modernisation, workforce planning, the allocation of extra duty days, re-grading and other structural changes



In addition, the five-day marriage/civil partnership special leave arrangement is to be withdrawn from this December. While this special leave was beneficial for some staff it could not be enjoyed by all and, in that sense, could be seen as discriminatory.



Finally, the “loyalty payment for good leavers” scheme was withdrawn and replaced by a new Voluntary Long Notice agreement. Under that scheme, any employee giving no less than 12 months’ notice of the termination of their employment would become eligible for a payment of 1% of basic salary when their employment ends. 



The intention of this agreement is to potentially provide NATS with more certainty around staffing levels and enable better staff deployment, training and planning.