Acting Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams and Premier Hon. Charles Washington Misick have confirmed Air Traffic Controllers have staged a sick-out at the Howard Hamilton International Airport as well as the JAGS McCartney International Airport in Grand Turk over salary and working conditions.
The statement said, however, that the air traffic controllers were the recipients of two pay raises in some two years ago.
“The Acting Governor and Premier met earlier today with the Executive Chair, CEO, and senior leadership of the TCIAA. Following on from this a meeting was held with the Chairman of the TCI Air Traffic Controllers Association; a further meeting is planned with the Air Traffic Controllers later today to discuss their return to work,” the statement said in part.
The statement further stated: “The Air Traffic controllers in 2022 received two separate pay increases totaling 31%. In addition to this, the Government following the implementation of the Public Service Pay and Grading Review in December 2023, committed to a comprehensive review of the pay and benefits of all statutory bodies which led by PGR Consultants Erst and Young (Jamaica) is due to commence in March 2024 and should not exceed four months.
The Acting Governor, reacting to the situation, stated: “The safe and efficient operation of our airports is critical to our islands both from an economic and a national security perspective. All stakeholders have been engaged to ensure all contingencies in place.
We are working with TCIAA officials to ensure that there a minimal disruption to incoming and outgoing flights and are engaging with ATC officers to discuss and agree their return to work.”
Premier Hon. Washington Misick, who also weighed on the matter, said: “I am collaborating with TCIAA and all stakeholders to restore smooth operations at the Howard Hamilton International Airport. My government and I are in frequent communication with all stakeholders, domestically and internationally, as the situation unfolds.
The safety of all travellers is our top priority, both domestically and internationally, and we will do our best to avoid any disruptions to anyone's travel plans."
In the meantime, Minister for Immigration and Border Services Hon. Arlington Musgrove, has been engaged throughout the morning on the matter and was currently en route to the TCI following his attendance at the Forty-Sixth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), so that he can attend the planned meeting later today with the Air Traffic Controller Association, the Acting Governor, Premier and TCIAA leadership.