RAAF, Air Services battle over air traffic controllers

Source: ABC Online
26 August 2008

A tug of war has developed between the Air Force and civilian authorities for scarce air traffic controllers.

The RAAF reportedly has a shortage of controllers at some of its bases because of a drift of personnel to better paid civilian jobs.

An Air Services Australia spokeswoman says about a third of its new recruits come from the RAAF but the Defence Force is not deliberately targeted.

Air Traffic Controllers Union chief Peter McGuane says it is a symptom of a nation-wide shortage of air traffic controllers.

"Air Services are desperate to attract controllers from wherever and indeed the conditions being offered to the RAAF controllers are superior to what they enjoy under employment with the RAAF so once again that's attractive to a number of people," he said.