By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMAS Air Traffic Controllers Union President Hinsey McKenzie yesterday implored Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis to follow through on promises he made while in opposition, and see to it that members of his union are paid what they are owed.
In a press statement on Monday, Mr McKenzie insisted many of the issues that existed under the Christie administration are unresolved, despite Dr Minnis’ assurance to have them addressed once coming to office.
Another issue laid out by Mr McKenzie is the government’s handling of the transition of air traffic services from the Department of Civil Aviation to the Bahamas Air Navigation Services Division (BANSD).
The union said BATCU officials and members were “completely dissatisfied” by the pace of the move and the lack of clarification surrounding it.
“The transition period will come to an end on Monday, October 2, 2017,” the union’s statement noted. “However, there are numerous management positions that have not been advertised and controllers have not been given, up to this point, an offer to remain in the authority.”
It continued: “Those that have made written requests to stay in the public service have not received a response or any notification of transfer.
“Nobody knows what is going to happen because nobody is ready as the chairman of the board, Mrs (Wendy) Craigg had admitted.
“There seems to be no vision for the future and the same unproductive managers that have kept the Civil Aviation Department stagnant for two decades have been returned to manage BANSD to which ATC has been deployed. The whole process is lacking transparency.“
The statement claimed controllers have been left in limbo for nearly a year with little to no information about BANSD, its organisational chart, the process for training to fill pertinent positions, salary and assessment.
BATCU also claimed attempts for meetings with management to commence contract negotiations have been futile.
“It is very interesting that the majority of middle managers have an average of almost 40 years in the service and don’t know what the future holds for them as only two positions had been made available for them. Additionally, BANSD has failed to provide training to employees for any of the positions.
“We have controllers that are still waiting for promotions. They have completed the requisite training and are working diligently and taking on responsibilities for which they are not being paid. Exuma officers who stay behind after their regular shift to accommodate late scheduled and medivac flights from the island have still not been paid their overtime.
“Majority of the approach controllers are eligible for retirement, we are already understaffed by about fifty per cent. Air Traffic Control in the next two years will be in a crisis if the training and the hiring of new employees are not addressed immediately.
“The government is talking about taking over the airspace but they have not hired anyone in the past two years. It is estimated that we would need about 150 more air traffic controllers for this operation. Training is ridiculous at this time, I do not see how they are going to accomplish training that number of people in the next few years.
“We have security issues that are not being addressed and the balance of the outstanding holiday funds owed to us. These issues need to be settled prior to the end of the transition period.“
BATCU also referred to comments made by Dr Minnis in April, a month before the general election, after air traffic controllers engaged in a “sick out” at LPIA.
“Today we were given another instance of failed PLP leadership,” Dr Minnis said at the time. “This trend is unacceptable. We’ve learned that Air Traffic Control has had a work slowdown, forcing 40 planes to a one hour ground hold. This is a direct result of the PLP government’s failure to ensure that government employees are paid what they are owed, when they are owed it. The lack of leadership is highlighted every day.
“To have people working for you and then not to pay them is simply wrong. It follows the PLP’s trending neglect and lack of care for the constituents they indebted to help. The members of the government get paid on time. Why do they not treat all Bahamians with the same integrity? Under the leadership of the FNM people will be paid what they are owed. No question asked, it doesn’t matter if you are a customs employee, an immigration employee, an air traffic controller or any other government employee. We will pay for the service provided,” Dr Minnis said.
BATCU said it is still waiting on Dr Minnis to “make good on these words.”
The April “sick-out” came amid ongoing labour disputes.
At the time, Director of Labour Robert Farquharson told Tribune Business that a “lengthy” meeting between union representatives and the Department of Civil Aviation was held to “put to rest” many of the issues.
He said 19 outstanding issues were addressed, and added: “I can tell you that we addressed all of the long-standing issues. I am extremely confident that as a result of the meeting all industrial issues with the airport traffic controllers have been resolved.”
Comments
birdiestrachan 6 years, 6 months ago
Roc wit doc is known for making promises he has no intentions of keeping.
BahamasForBahamians 6 years, 6 months ago
The people will learn that during the peoples time.
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