Air traffic controllers say no to wage freeze

Air traffic controllers have signaled that they are prepared to take strong action to rebuff any attempts to impose a wage freeze on them.

The Jamaica Air Traffic Controllers’ Association says it is running out of patience with its employer, the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority.

The association says despite submitting letters to Finance Minister Dr. Peter Phillips and  Horace Daley, the Minister without portfolio with responsibility for the Public Service, they have failed to meet with the organisation.

Vice President Sean Blair says the association submitted its wage claim for the 2012-2014 contract period in May 2012.

Blair says since then there has been little progress in the negotiations.

According to him, the Authority usually adheres to any position reached between the Government and trade unions.

However, Blair says the association will not stand for any unilateral wage freeze being imposed on its members.

The Government has indicated that it will have to implement wage restraints as part of measures aimed at reaching a deal with the International Monetary Fund.

The Government and the IMF has already reached a staff-level agreement and the Fund’s Board is expected to consider the Letter of Intent in March.

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