By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
PERCEIVED threats of industrial action from the Bahamas Air Traffic Controllers Union (BATCU) have “created alarm” in the domestic and international aviation sector, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation said in a statement released on Thursday, adding that these airlines may divert traffic away from the Bahamas this Easter holiday weekend.
The union and the Department of Civil Aviation have been involved in a standoff over the past few weeks over outstanding holiday pay. However the ministry said on Thursday that the Treasury is preparing payments for controllers who are due holiday payments, which will be available next Tuesday.
Still, the ministry said officials are “very concerned” about statements from the union, which they feel suggested the group would take unwarranted industrial action during the Easter holidays.
Late yesterday the Ministry issued a further statement saying the Department of Civil Aviation had put in place contingency measures "to ensure that air traffic services are not disrupted during this busy travel period. Those plans have been communicated to the Air Operators Committee, which represents both domestic and international carriers."
Earlier the ministry had expressed its serious concern over the possibility of disruption. A statement in the morning read: “The Ministry of Transport and Aviation is very concerned about the comments attributed to the President of the Bahamas Air Traffic Controllers Union (BATCU), Lashan Gray, in this morning’s issue of The Tribune newspaper, in which the president suggests that the union may be considering taking industrial action over the Easter holidays.
“The ministry is shocked at the president’s implied threat to disrupt air traffic services unduly, and without cause, and thereby inconvenience the traveling public.”
“In fact, just yesterday, (Wednesday), the president was informed in writing by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Transport & Aviation that the Public Treasury is preparing payments for the holidays worked, and that the said payments will be made by Tuesday, April 7.
“There is therefore no basis, in fact or in law for any such disruptive action in respect of an essential service. The ministry advises that such action would not only be gratuitous, but would be a gross interference with the enjoyment of Bahamians and others over the Easter holidays.
“Further, the ministry has been informed by aviation stakeholders that the pronouncements by the president of the Bahamas Air Traffic Controllers Union have created alarm in both the domestic and international aviation sectors. The possibility has now arisen, based on information the ministry is receiving, that these airlines will make business decisions that may divert tourism traffic away from the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The economic implications for the Bahamian people are obvious. The ministry calls upon the president of the union to act responsibly in the interest of the country.”
BATCU President Lashan Gray told The Tribune Wednesday that the union's course of action for the holiday weekend would be determined by what the Department of Civil Aviation did today.
According to Mrs Gray, following clashes between the union and Department of Civil Aviation in late 2014, both sides agreed that as of last December, all holiday wages would be paid within the month that they were earned. She said that agreement quickly fell apart after the two groups left the negotiating table.
Comments
Romrok 9 years, 1 month ago
Fire them all, import folk if you have to. Loads of folk want work, teach these unions a lesson.
TheMadHatter 9 years, 1 month ago
Why? Do you think people should have to work without being properly paid? If so, then why not make the salary of an air traffic controller ZERO. Tell him/her that their family will be killed by the Government unless they go up in the tower and do their duty. No need to pay them at all.
Your comment shows a lack of knowledge of the real situation in working for Govt. People wonder why Government workers are in many cases mean and nasty and unhelpful. The answer lies in a little department called the PSC - an arm of the Public Service Commission - which refuses to give persons even the most simplest of acknowledgments - such as a letter after they are transferred to a new post stating that they are now officially in that post and the salary they are currently earning. Workers go for many many years - sometimes moving to 3 or 4 different posts - before they get the very first letter concerning their 2nd posting.
The response you get as a government worker is basically - shut up and wait and be thankful you have a job, a govt job at that, at least you can borrow money from the bank. People out there looking for work and ya'll complainin? Shut up and do your job like the black slave you are.
This is the attitude, and it seeps out throughout our whole society. Next time you standing in that line, or the next time you return to a government office with ALL the papers they told you last week that you needed to bring and now this week they tell you that you need one or two more papers - remember what I told you above and you'll know why they "suddenly" remembered that you needed these "new" documents also. And don't even get me started on "lost" files.
GrassRoot 9 years ago
of all people, these need to be on the job over a tourist weekend - and they know it - and that's the problem. If their union leaders have no better argument than to hold the country hostage and cheat many people out of tips, revenue from selling at the straw market, cabbies' fares etc. then go for it. The people that hurt most under these games are their neighbours. So yes, I suggest that the union leaders do their job during their office hours and not on busy travel weekends.
TheMadHatter 9 years ago
Grassroot - have a look at Islandgirl's comment below. You see how long this foolishness has been going on? How come the newspapers haven't been running the story "ATC and managerial staff unpaid for over 2 years and counting"????????/
No, they won't run the story.
It is only a story because the Easter Break might get messed up without their work. That is why they might strike this weekend, to call attention to their plight which otherwise would not even get a mention anywhere.
Govt keeps borrowing money - and then the money that should be paid to working people has to be paid to the foreign lenders in interest.
Frosty 9 years, 1 month ago
Question since i am both ignorant in the ways of unions and slightly interested in working as an ATC. Is joining a Union mandatory if one exists and if you are part of that union if industrial action is voted for and approved is it mandatory to take part
DillyTree 9 years, 1 month ago
Fire them all and hire replacements -- even if we have to bring in foreign ATCs. It should be against the law for "vital services" personnel to a) belong to a union b) go on strike. The unions continue to be the death of this country, as they always want MORE without understanding that the country is in a poor financial situation and there's no more to be had. Idiotic simpletons.
Cobalt 9 years, 1 month ago
I agree. But it would cost millions of dollars to hire foreign ATC. And in fairness to the ATC's union..... how are they suppose to accept the government's excuse that the country is broke, when the PLP is wasting millions of dollars on a silly carnival festival??? How are they suppose to feel when thousands of dollars appropriated to them have still not been issued, while the government is paying a soca performer from another country $100,000??? How are they suppose to feel when PLP MPs are still trying to give themselves raises, while hundreds of Bahamians continue to be laid-off and under paid???
How would you feel?
TheMadHatter 9 years, 1 month ago
That's exactly right. Pay the people what you have in your budget as their salaries, and stop foolin around.
I wonder if the lost revenue from the lost airlines and the extra money to keep contingency workers on hand - is more than the $50,000 that they owe the workers in the first place? Probably yes.
Govt needs to stop waisting money on foolishness, and stop borrowing money so all our money has to go abroad to pay debt interest.
Islandgirl 9 years ago
While you are paying the ATC Union members, please do not forget to pay the Civil Aviation Managerial staff the many tens of thousands of dollars owed them and especially from the period during the last PLP administration when they stepped in to do the work of the striking controllers. The controllers were paid. Those that keep this country going, ensuring there was no collapse in the very vital tourism industry, were not. Disgraceful on the part of both that PLP government, the FNM government after them who did not seek to rectify the situation, and this "new" PLP administration. Glenys Hanna Martin, FIX THIS and give credit where it is due.
GrassRoot 9 years ago
Where's Jungle Jane Gibson when we need him?
getitright 9 years ago
@islandgirl I think you lil confuse. The striking action you refer to happen under the Ingraham administration. Did you ask him to pay you please? From what I am hearing the PLP administration is trying to address your concerns. I say 'you' because I assume you work there or know someone who work there.
Islandgirl 9 years ago
You are incorrect. It did indeed happen under the Perry administration, and was not resolved when the Ingraham administration came to office. Both administrations refused to address that wrong. Check YOUR facts before you respond, and yes, I know several persons who work there. Lack of compensation after all these years is an absolute disgrace. Do what your handle says and "get it right."
getitright 9 years ago
Historically incorrect. PLP administration governed 1967 to 1 1992 and took office again in 2002 . The air traffic controller strike took place in 2001 and resolved in 2002. A mere google might assist. Or maybe you should talk to some of your "friends" who work there. I heard the PLP trying to resolve the issues, did your "friends" tell you?
DEDDIE 9 years ago
Truth be told, the only way you could get the government to move is with a gun to the head. Why does it take a threat from the union for checks to be prepared. You should be paid whenever you work holidays,plain and simple. The government is the biggest breaker of the employment laws they enacted. For those with the negative commentary, how would you behave if your employer was not paying you holiday pay.
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