Air traffic controllers on strike

Jan 31, 2009 News

Air traffic controllers went on strike yesterday afternoon, leaving limited senior staff to man the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

The controllers are protesting a number of issues, among which are salary increases for 2008 and outstanding payment of retroactive overtime payments.

On Wednesday, a letter of notice to strike was sent to interim Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Zulficar Mohammed.

The letter stated that the air traffic controllers decided to strike since they had exhausted all avenues available to them in trying reasonably and amicably to conclude all outstanding matters.

Speaking with Kaieteur News yesterday, a source at the airport said that while senior staffers will be managing the controls for the night, they will have to work overtime tomorrow, as the air traffic controllers do not intend to return to work until they get at least some of their outstanding issues resolved.

These matters include increase in allowance, NIS refund for sick leave, training, safety and health issues, and communication equipment.

The letter sent to Mohammed also stated that workers are dissatisfied with the lack of commitment on the part of the management of the GCAA and the administration to amicably resolve the outstanding matters and to guarantee conditions less favourable.

On January 15 last, the Ogle aerodrome and the approach service at the Cheddi Jagan International airport were left unmanned for a significant period by the refusal of the air traffic controllers to go beyond the call of duty.

The situation effectively shut down the airport, because without such a service no aircraft could land or take off.