Coastguard Petition.

[peterb26]

Many of us have a reason to be grateful to the Coastguards around the UK - even if its only for a radio check.

However the truth of the matter is that their pay is dreadful - with some of the guys and girls manning the Ops Rooms earning less than a member of counter staff at Macdonalds.

Hence the petition.

If you can support it then many thanks in advance.

Heres the link to the petition.

 

[Oen]

Errr, where is it? Are you just wanting us to post here?

 

[peterb26]

Thanks Oen - I have now edited the post and put the link in it. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Sixpence]

That's better , but is this really likely to do any good ? signing anyway but the question has to be asked

 

[peterb26]

Probably not - but it doesnt cost us much. And you never know, that nice generous Mr Brown ..........

 

[FullCircle]

Done.
But will Gordy take any notice whatsoever, now that the nice cuddly Mr B Liar has gone? I think probably not.

 

[peterb26]

If I am honest I totally agree with you guys but I do think that the Ops Room staff in particular should be on better money than around 15k a year.

 

[Sixpence]

Couldn't agree more which is why Louise is about to sign too , though she doesn't know it yet

 

[graham]

Just Signed it. I think the concept that workers may have pensions or savings from previous employments and therefore can be paid less is totally wrong.

 

[Sixpence]

Just a thought but I'm trying to update the news section on my site so it links to the petition , but I can't find any details of a story behind this . Any ideas ? . It should get more hits than just a couple of threads can generate

 

[Woodentop]

[ QUOTE ]
Just a thought but I'm trying to update the news section on my site so it links to the petition , but I can't find any details of a story behind this . Any ideas ? . It should get more hits than just a couple of threads can generate

[/ QUOTE ]
This is a long slow burning fuse - so you will not have seen the news stories covering it.

The roots lie in the fact that the Coastguard used to be a retirement job for ex-seafarers on full pensions.

The job has changed. They are now more hi-tech and to use the government's own definition "Category 1 Responders". When you do a comparison with Fire/Police/Ambulance Control Rooms you find the pay of the Coastguard is about 15K compared to the F/P/A 20 K. The major difference is that they despatch a specialist to the scene where as the Coastguard coordinate the complete incident from the Ops Room.

To put it simply - a fire takes place in an area of about 50 metres square and they know where it is. A Maritime incident takes place in an area about 50 miles square and Search Planning is often a part since we do not have a post code for that particular bit of the Channel or Western Approaches and we do not exactly where it is and it is moving.

This link is a bit unionist but gives the gist Union Stuff

The basic point is that if you compare the Fire/Police/Ambulance Operations/Control Room with a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre they are on twice the money for half the skills. However they are paid out of local council tax but the Coastguard are paid out of central taxes.

 

[Sixpence]

That'll do nicely thanks , let's hope the extra link I put in gets a few more signatures , I'll get my man on it as soon as I can get hold of him

 

[Capn Pugwash]

Signed and flagged to all my contacts - good luck (sad to say it will be needed - Old Golden Brown is after all - Mr Prudence!)

Me 'ats off to the coastguards!