Air traffic controllers may strike if the powers that be do not listen to their cries in relation to a number issues, including retroactive payments from last year, and work with them to iron these out.
A source from the Guyana Association of Air Traffic Control Officers (GAATCO) yesterday told Stabroek News that while a strike is not “definite” it is being contemplated and they have since signalled their intentions to their union, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU).
The source said that their plans come on the heels of the abrupt discontinuation of meetings which were held with the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon and the management of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority.
The meetings became a reality after some of the air traffic controllers had sought a meeting with President Bharrat Jagdeo.
The call for the meeting was made as they felt that management was not looking after their welfare.
Stabroek News was told that workers are still owed retroactive overtime payment and even though the government had announced the 5 percent across-the-board increase it has not been passed on to the workers. The source yesterday said that the increase announced by the government last December is also now being looked at as the workers are also entitled to that hike.
Back in March last year a number of air traffic controllers took strike action after Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn blocked $18M in back pay for the staff, saying that neither he nor Finance Minister Ashni Singh was aware of the intended payout and had not approved it.
Staff were reportedly told in a memo that their payments had already been prepared, but following a visit to the office by Benn they were subsequently informed that their monies would be withheld.
Following much discussion, the staff had trickled back to work and some remedy sought in the situation. Sources said that any industrial action will be as a result of the current dissatisfaction stemming from the promises not being fully honoured.
employ REGAN formula, this will dispose of the union and solve the crisis, it’s an area that is vital for commuters and no game playing there.
Well freespeech. That sounds like a really good plan. Who will you put to work there? Got some GDF or GPF? The Genisis of this matter dates back to 2002 and persons have been extreemely patient and understanding so far. Would you like to be employed in a particular opst which attracts a salary of say $300.00US whether it is weekly or monthly, be informed that you have received a promotion to a higher grade and get a reduced salary? Or would you like to get $320.00 and be told that the scale to which you have been promoted stops at $320.00 and that you are already at the maximum of the scale so no increase? Or how about after all this, being written to to say that the GCAA is now in aposition to pay you your correct salary, retroactive and to see that other persons who are on a lower scale, earning less, who have worked with the Authority for a shorter period than you receive a LARGER payout than you because he/she is of a particular ethnicity or is “friendly” with the decision makers? If you answer yes to any of the above, I’ll pay your fare and arrange for you to work after the Government employs the Regan formula. Since 2007 the Controllers have tried to resolve this matter amicably.
not the money, is to prevent a strike, of course they will have to be paid.
well said rambler. He wouldn’t want to even come to work in guyana, just hot air he’s spewing.
Why is the government playing with the ATCs livelihood and the publics’ lives. If the people are owed backpay, PAY THEM.
This is one of the reasons why the government jobs in GY attract people who don’t give a damn about what they are supposed to be doing. The people who are qualified constantly get the shaft!
Same thing with government contracts. They attract people who have no business at the bidding table because the real professionals will not play lowball with the Government.
Any strike action should be follow up with a firing.
So when they get fired, will you be willing to apply for that job, mr. swat, and if you answer no you need to hold your tongue.
THIS ADMINISTRATION has a history of not paying the workers of guyana,even after strike action is being taken, this issue has been going on for a prolonged period and is a shame that the govt cannot see it fit to pay these people who has a right to strike, they simply dont like to pay its workers, just themselves.
Do what the Canadians and other Countries around the globe did.Turn the operations over to a private company.Strike ? I would fire every one of them.Sometimes you have to take a strong stand.
so pilot when the fire all of them will you be willing to fill the vacant positions that will be left open.
Pilot turning control of your air space over to private control will invite all kinds of problems. The drugs will fly in more openly and nobody will know but the private air traffic controllers. When you make suggestions they should be well thought out. One other thing people dont talk about, is that when Regan did what he did, that on a daily basis there were near misses over the skies.
Up to now? The consequences of this procrastination will further cripple the economy.
Alyuh pay de peeple dem dey money. Who ayuh want put fuh guide airyplane fuh land? One lil school boy or school gal who nah know de difference between east and west?
I have never heard of so much junk . How many planes come to Guyana? Fire these people like Ronald Regan did in the eighties, when US air traffic controllers went on strike.
all who want to come and work come i think they are recruiting rite now for an asistant air traffic controlers course US$300 a month and hopefully in 10 years time ur going to reach the highest position as an air trffice controler(being very ambitious here) ur going to earn US$250 weekly. good luck
Dont worry there are always vacancies at sycj.
and who want to fire the air trffic controllers they sould hepl recuriting
one more thing its a semi privte organization which pays it self and they have enough revenue to pay the increase in salaries .The government does not have to find the money the earn it.
I thinkeveryone here knows that gt is “BLOWS”, no wander its corrupted and lots of brain drain going on.The attitude of the government is always like this. You cannot get a decent salary back home, but yet still the government is not willing to hold the young people by paying them fairly. think about this will decrease bribes,theft etc.
BUT HONEST I CAN’T WORK BACK HOME WITH THE SKILL I HAVE, I’M PRETTY SURE THE GOVERNMENT WILL UNDER PAY ME.