The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE Department of Civil Aviation has urged air traffic controllers not to stage industrial action over outstanding holiday pay.

In a statement released on Sunday, the department said it had information to suggest that the Bahamas Air Traffic Controllers Union (BATCU) was proposing to “bring stoppage to air traffic services on the said premise of non-payment of holiday pay”.

When asked if the union was considering industrial action over the standoff, BATCU President Lashan Gray yesterday would not confirm or deny if the union was considering this course.

Mrs Gray said an update on the union’s position would come today or tomorrow.

However, she stressed that the union is upset that the government and the Department of Civil Aviation has failed to pay air traffic controllers for working on holidays.

“They’re not paying their employees for holidays as they work them,” Mrs Gray said. “That’s against the law. What message does that send to the private sector?”

Last week Mrs Gray released a statement on behalf of the union, claiming that Civil Aviation continues to not compensate controllers for public holidays worked, despite an agreement with the union in December, 2014.

“The Bahamas government continues to operate illegally with its compensation of wages, subsequently violating the fundamental rights of its employees preserved within the law,” the statement said. “The (BATCU) has been more than accommodating, especially considering that it is the government that is both responsible for legislating and enforcing the very laws they continue to disregard.”

However, the department said it is working to facilitate the overdue payments and cautioned the union against action that could cause “severe economic hardship to the country at a time when every effort is being made to rebuild the national economy.”

“The union is advised that while negotiations are proceeding in good faith for a new industrial agreement, it is important to exercise goodwill, and for both sides to work together collectively in the interest in the country,” the department said.

The department said the holiday payments would be made in short order.

In the meantime, the department called on the union to “exercise greater discretion in its public pronouncements,” adding that the department has and “is continuing to exercise good faith” with the BATCU.