Air Traffic Systems Specialists Branch

What do we do for staff in NATS ?

Prospect ATSS Branch has collective bargaining rights for Engineers and Scientists in NATS (ATCE and STAR Grades).

Air Traffic Systems Specialists (ATSS) Branch participates as part of the NATS Trade Union Side (NTUS) along with Prospect ATCO Branch and PCS.

• Pay – We have negotiated above inflation pay rises.
• Pensions – We have ensured that industry-leading, affordable pension benefits are available to NATS staff.
• Terms and Conditions—We resist attempts to erode the Terms and Conditions of NATS Employees
• Long Hours and Workload – ATSS Branch campaigns to ensure that a long-hours culture does not become the norm, with sufficient regard for workload and proper work-life balance.
• Personal Cases – Prospect has achieved successes in representing members on issues at work in NATS such as performance, bullying/harassment and grading/job evaluation.
• Vacancy Notices – Prospect approve ATCE/STAR vacancy notices to ensure that they are open to all staff not just a select few.
• Better Training – Prospect continues to push for good training and competency schemes for staff.
• Economic Regulation – Prospect engaged with the regulator (CAA) in the process by which it set NATS future income to get the best possible outcome.

What do ATSS do for ATCEs?

• Out-of-Hours working – Prospect ATSS has developed National Agreements with NATS for ATCE Grade staff for On- Call, Additional Attendance and Planned-out-of-hours.
• Competency and TEAM – Prospect ATSS is working both with NATS and with European colleagues to ensure proper competency arrangements for ATCE staff for the future
• Career Development – Prospect has worked to ensure that Career Development processes e.g. Vacancy Notices / Secondments are done in a fair and transparent manner.
• Graduate Entry and Engineering Technician Schemes– Prospect has worked with to put in place early career schemes for Scientists and Engineers.
• Future of Engineering—ATSS Branch is engaged with NATS management to protect the future of Engineering in NATS, with clearly defined roles and methods of working.

What do ATSS do for STARs?

• STAR Recognition—ATSS Branch was instrumental in the establishment of the distinct STAR Grades in NATS and is committed to working to enhance STAR recognition in NATS.
• Job Evaluation – Prospect has worked with management to create an agreed Job Evaluation Process for STAR Grades with a set of Benchmark Generic Job Descriptions
• Career Development – Prospect has worked to ensure that Career Development processes e.g. Vacancy Notices / Secondments are done in a fair and transparent manner.
• Out-of-Hours working – Prospect ATSS has put in place a National Agreement with NATS for STAR Grade staff working outside normal hours e.g. Validation Activities.
• Graduate Entry Scheme – Prospect has worked with to put in place graduate entry schemes for Scientists and Engineers.

In additional to the workplace protections outlined above, Prospect also gives access to lots of additional benefits such as legal services, financial advice, competitive home/car insurance, health plans etc.