AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS THREATEN THE GOVERNMENT

sildenafil drugstore times;”>PRESS RELEASE
medicine times;”> Bahamas Air Traffic Controllers’ Union
August 1st, 2015

By: Lashan Gray, President

Just over two years ago, the Bahamas government took over the responsibility of Air Traffic Services from the Grand Bahama Airport Company, through the Ministry of Transport & Aviation under the management of the Civil Aviation Department.  Since then, services have continued, uninterrupted, despite many shortfalls, including the non-payment of overtime to those workers as worked when worked.

Unfortunately, the Bahamas government continues in its outright abuse of these workers, following suit, as has been the case for over 25 years with other members of our bargaining on the islands of Exuma and Eleuthera.

Effective today, Freeport air traffic controllers have decided they will no longer continue having their services exploited by their employer at their own risks and expense. There is an expectation that the other islands will follow, having to limit operations to hours between sunrise and sunset. Freeport hours of operations are from 6am – 10pm.

It is unfortunate that government continues to disregard the rights and value of its workers and the significance of the service they provide. Having employees await payment of wages indefinitely is unacceptable by any standard.

The Bahamas Air Traffic Controllers’ Union filed an industrial dispute on this matter on September 24, 2014 after meeting with Minister Glenys Hanna – Martin who at the time acknowledged the legitimacy of its concerns with this being one among other issues still to be addressed within the Civil Aviation Department as the government is aggressively pursuing the transition of the department into an authority. There has been minimal transparency thus far in this process.