Air traffic control cuts

Members of the Prospect and PCS unions at the UK air traffic controller NATS have protested against plans to cut jobs and costs in air traffic control.

Under the Single European Skies (SES) proposals, the European Commission wants to halve air traffic management costs by 2020, resulting in huge job losses across Europe.

The protest marks the start of the European Transport Federation’s campaign against the SES proposals, which will see air traffic unions across Europe either take industrial action or organise demonstrations.

NATS staff fear that the proposals from the commission will put safety at risk through over-stretched air traffic management resources and mean the service provided to airlines and passengers will suffer.

www.prospect.org.uk/news/id/2013/00814

www.pcs.org.uk/en/news_and_events/news_centre/index.cfm/id/354E50B4-9F4F-43F4-A08168B86258898D