Air traffic controllers (ATCOs) working for NATS in Gibraltar are used to receiving annual pay increases based on those received by NATS staff in the UK. Changes in the management of the contract with the MOD covering air traffic control at Gibraltar Airport has meant the NATS’ pay offer for 2018 and 2019 falls short of ATCOs in the rest of the company. Following lengthy negotiations, a revised offer from NATS was deemed to be insufficient to resolve the dispute and so Prospect is balloting its ATCO members on whether they wish to take industrial action short of a strike.

The ballot opened today (9 July) and closes on 22 July 2019.

The timing and precise form of any industrial action will be announced in the event of a vote in favour, but is likely to include an overtime ban, withdrawal of goodwill and a ban on swapping shifts.

Steve Jary, Prospect negotiator, said:

“Our members working at NATS Gibraltar have inferior terms and conditions to their colleagues in the UK, but, historically, they have had the same annual pay deal. It is not unreasonable to expect that to continue.

“If ATCOs in Gibraltar fall further behind the UK, then recruitment and retention will become a problem. It is in the best interests of all involved to come to a pay deal that is acceptable to everyone and does not penalise our members for choosing to work in Gibraltar.”